MOGULS:

Hicks, Henitiuk soar in moguls at Steamboat

March 6, 2010 — Canadian Freestyle Ski Association          ►Photo: Chelsea Henitiuk (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)

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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colorado — The landslide of Nor-Am medals continued for Canadian freestyle skiers Friday with Eddie Hicks and Chelsea Henitiuk reaching the podium.

Hicks, of Whistler, B.C., won his first career Nor-Am gold, placing first in men’s dual moguls, while Henitiuk, who hails from Spruce Grove and now lives in Whistler, took the silver in the women’s event.

Hicks defeated Bryan Zemba of the U.S. in the final. It was the fifth race of the day for both skiers. The competition started with a qualification round then Hicks and Zemba won their three duals before clashing for the gold.

“I had a feeling once I made the final that I could really make something happen,” said Hicks, 21. “Through the earlier rounds I was really able to iron out my airs and determine the right line for me for the final. It was a super tough day with all those runs.”

In the bronze-medal match, Joseph Disco of the U.S., defeated Simon Pouliot-Cavanagh of Ste-Foy, Que.

Hicks’ win was enough to put him in third place for the 2009-10 Nor-Am Grand Prix. Mikael Kingsbury of Deux Montagnes, Que. took first position, earning himself a spot at the World Cup finals in Spain later this month.

In women’s dual moguls, Heidi Kloser of the U.S., took the gold over Henitiuk when Henitiuk, who had won gold at her last two Nor-Am single moguls events, went off course just before her second air in the final.

“I knew that Heidi was really fast and I had an awesome start,” said Henitiuk. “But she pushed so hard through the middle I had to pull out. I’m still pretty happy because I took it to the limit and didn’t hold anything back. That approach has brought me a lot of success lately.”

Alison DiGravio of the U.S., defeated compatriot Whitney Henceroth for the bronze.

Henitiuk finishes the Nor-Am season in third position overall.

Canadian World Cup freestyle skiers are in Inawashiro, Japan, this weekend, where two moguls events were planned. However, Saturday’s competition had to be canceled due to bad weather. There could be a double event on Sunday.  SRC