ARE, Sweden (March 13) - The U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team isn't slowing down for anyone as Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) and Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) went 1-2 and Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) took third during the dual moguls competition in Sweden on Saturday.

In total the U.S. put all six women in finals for the second day in a row with three in the final round of four.

"I feel fantastic. With it being the first dual, that's always a different ballgame. To win that as well as being able to win singles is really satisfying," Kearney said.

For the first duals of the season, Kearney was happy to be able to not only win, but show her consistency.

"Duals is a tough thing to win because you have to ski five races in a day and that's a tribute to my consistency. I did have some mistakes, but I competed through them and that's what makes it duals," Kearney said.

Kearney went head-to-head with teammate Bahrke who had an incredible day, save for a wipeout when skiing in the final with the winner.

"I had a great day. I had some tough skiers that I had to go up against and I really skied the best that I have," Bahrke said. "I blew out against Hannah, which is kind of a bummer, but I skied well and I'm really happy with second."

With one World Cup left in the season, while Bahrke is looking forward to her competition, it is bittersweet when combined with her plans to retire at the end of the season.

"It's a little bit mixed emotions for me because it is going to be my last World Cup," Bahrke said. "It's going to be really hard, but to end things on a good note, I'll remember how much I kicked ass and I think that's a good way to go out."

And, with her level of consistency, Bahrke is hoping to end her career in moguls with similar success to what she's had this season.

"Having been on the podium for the last four times my expectations are high, but I'm just excited that it's going to be my last run and see how I'm doing," Bahrke said.

Kearney and Bahrke also led the way for three other teammates racing into the top-10 with Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO) just missing the podium in fourth, Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) in sixth and Laurel Shanley (Squaw Valley, CA) in ninth.

On the men's side, Deneen put himself on the podium for the second consecutive day, including knocking off hometown favorite and Friday's winner Jesper Bjoernlund. The 2009 World Champion said it felt good to ski five runs so consistently.

"It feels really good to get back on the podium for a second day," Deneen said. "I was really happy with the way I skied today and with it being the first dual event of the season it's nice to be on the podium and put down five solid runs."

Deneen was on fire, ripping down the hill with some of the fastest turns coaches say they've seen all year.

"Today I was skiing probably faster than I've ever skied before and it made for a pretty fun day," Deneen said. "It's difficult and that's why dual moguls skiing is really hard on the athlete. But it's a really fun event and it's a great spectator sport. It's also cool because you're able to just get in the groove and push your limits."

The men also had impressive outcomes with two other athletes in the top 10, including Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT) in fifth and Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO) in eighth.

"Another great day in Sweden," said Moguls Coach Todd Schirman. "We were very impressed with the performance of the women today – all six athletes making finals. It was great having our Olympic medalists in the gate together going for first and second. And Pat stepped up big with some of the fastest runs we have seen him ski all year.

"The Team is skiing at an incredible, level motivating and supporting each other." 

Next up, the team makes their way to Sierra Nevada, Spain for a World Cup in a venue that will be completely new to them, and they're all excited to see what the course there will hold for them.

"I'm excited to go to a new country that we've never been to. A new venue is thrilling. And, I would like to carry this momentum into the last World Cup and end the season on a high note," Kearney said. "Unfortunately I can't win the overall but to rack up another win would be awesome."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 FIS FREESTYLE WORLD CUP
Are, Sweden - March 13, 2010
Dual Moguls

Men
1. Guilbaut Colas, France
2. Maxime Gingras, Canada
3. Patrick Deneen, Cle Elum, WA
4. Mikael Kingsbury, Canada
5. Bryon Wilson, Butte, MT
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8. Joe Discoe, Farmington, ME
15. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME
22. David Babic, Washington, VT
34. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA
37. Jeremy Cota, Carrabassett Valley, ME

Women
1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT
2. Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA
3. Jennifer Heil, Canada
4. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO
5. Chloe Dufour-LaPointe, Canada
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6. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT
9. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA
13. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO
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