MOGULS:

Heil secures World Cup moguls title, Gingras podiums again

March 13, 2010 — The Canadian Press         ►Photo: Maxime Gingras (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)

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ARE, Sweden — Jenn Heil of Spruce Grove, Alta., is on top of the moguls world after capturing a bronze medal in freestyle World Cup action Saturday, while Maxime Gingras of St-Hippolyte, Que., collected a silver for his second medal in as many days.

Heil lost a nailbiting semifinal dual to Olympic champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., then won her bronze-medal dual over Eliza Outtrim of the U.S. to clinch the World Cup overall women’s moguls title for the 2009-10 season.

That gave Heil, 26, her fifth crystal globe, to tie the record set by American Donna Weinbrecht, the 1992 Olympic champion who dominated the slopes for much of her career.

“I would have to say this is one of the sweetest,” said Heil of her five crystal globes, after winning others in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. She took off 2008, and placed second last season.

“It’s definitely a challenge to stay on top,” added Heil.

“To tie Donna for the all-time record is definitely nothing I had wished for when I started the sport.”

Heil remembers competing against Weinbrecht during her first two years on the World Cup circuit in the early 2000s.

“She’s one of the most beautiful skiers,” said Heil.

“She had the best quality of turns and she really dominated the sport in her time, so to be in that same category is really special.

“I can remember my first years on the World Cup team and watching (teammate) Jean-Luc (Brassard) winning his (three) globes, and wondering if I’d ever win one.”

Saturday’s dual moguls for women finished with Kearney defeating teammate Shannon Bahrke for the gold medal. That moved Kearney into second in the overall standings with 566 points. Heil, with one event left in the season, has 725 points.

The men’s overall moguls title is still up for grabs after Guilbaut Colas of France won Saturday’s gold-medal dual over Gingras.

Gingras, who captured a bronze medal in individual moguls Friday, is skiing the best of his life but hasn’t decided if he’ll compete another four years or retire.

But for the time being, he’s enjoying his fourth World Cup medal, and first one that wasn’t a bronze.

To reach the gold-medal final, Gingras won duals over Arnaud Burille of France, Olympic silver medallist Bryon Wilson of the U.S., and Mikael Kingsbury of Deux-Montagnes, Que.

“It was a great weekend for me,” said Gingras, 25. “I’m really happy about this silver medal. It’s unbelievable.”

At the same time, he says he’s undecided about his ski future.

“I don’t know if I’ll compete next year,” said Gingras, who was 11th at the 2010 Olympics.

“I just want to finish my season strongly. I am thinking of retiring. It’s a big decision, but if I continue it will be for another four years.”

Patrick Deneen of the U.S. followed his silver medal Friday with a bronze medal in dual moguls. He defeated Kingsbury to prevent the Canadian teenage sensation from reaching the podium.

Dale Begg-Smith of Australia placed 10th to remain atop the men’s overall moguls standings. He has 613 points, while Jesper Bjoernlund of Sweden and Colas remain in contention for the title, with 541 and 515 points respectively.

Olympic champion Alex Bilodeau of Rosemere, Que., is fourth, but likely sidelined for the remainder of the World Cup campaign with a badly sprained left ankle. He suffered the injury in training Thursday. Olympic finalist Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau of Drummondville, Que., is sidelined with back and knee injuries.

The World Cup finale is March 18 in Spain. SRC

Are men’s World Cup moguls results

Are women’s World Cup moguls results