Squaw Valley, CA – It was icing on the cake for one, and a new frontier for the other as 2010 gold medalist Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe took moguls titles at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at California’s Squaw Valley ski area on Friday.nJoining Kearney, of Norwich, Vt., on the podium were two women who picked up the first World Cup wins of their careers this season. Eliza Outtrim of Steamboat Springs, Colo., just off a win at World Cup finals in Spain, was second and Heather McPhie, of Bozeman, Mont., was third.
Kearney was happy to share the podium with such distinguished talent.
“The podium was three individuals who have won a World Cup so you’re really skiing against the best in the world, which makes it that much more difficult,” Kearney said.
The Olympic champ broke out some new moves Friday, throwing a mute grab off the bottom air to freshen up her run and set herself apart from the stiff competition.
“That was the first time I’ve ever thrown a mute in competition or qualifying and a new trick, it’s always satisfying when that goes well,” Kearney said. “I like to try to push myself because I’ve been stuck in a rut for a few years as far as my tricks go.”
For Outtrim the day marked another career landmark, which she said she was hoping for after her time in Spain.
“I’ve never been on a U.S. Championship podium before, so that’s incredible,” Outtrim said. “I really wanted to come off the win from last week, ski well here and follow up on that win.”
As far as her run went, Outtrim was pleased and plans to keep it up.
“I feel like I messed up my top air a little, but I was really happy with the rest of my run,” Outtrim said. “I feel like I’m skiing faster and I’ve been trying to do that – to push the limits a little bit.”
Outtrim wasn’t the only one making first impressions Friday, as Discoe, of Durango, Colo., took down his first Champs podium appearance as well.
“I’m really excited. It’s an amazing feeling and I’m super stoked,” Discoe said. “My skiing has been coming together for the last three events with a couple World Cups making the finals. I got a top 10 there and just kept the skiing going into here.”?
Joining Discoe on the podium were Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, Maine) who was second and Michael Morse (Duxbury, Mass.) who was third.
Now with the champs win in Hand, Discoe has a plan for how he can keep his momentum rolling into 2011.
“Lots of training. I’m going to go home for the summer and take a little bit more of a break to clear my mind and then just get right back into it,” Discoe said.
Young Cota was also a happy camper on the sunny ski day as he also marked his first appearance on a U.S. Champs podium.
“It feels great. I skied really well and was happy with the way I skied. I did my harder tricks and landed them, so I was stoked on that. I’m just happy to be on the podium,” Cota said.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships
Squaw Valley, CA – March 26, 2010
Moguls
Men
1. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO, 25.51
2. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.41
3. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 25.30
4. Reed Snyderman, Winchester, MA, 25.29
5. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 25.17
Women
1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.37
2. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.41
3. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT. 25.02
4. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 24.81
5. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.31