Athlete Spotlight: Hannah Kearney
Vermonter Hannah Kearney keeps finding herself in the middle of success, the most distinguished of which was landing gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. When Hannah hit the World Cup circuit fulltime, she won two competitions in her rookie season. A year later Kearney was the 2005 moguls World Champion. Last season she secured her first freestyle overall title, a second moguls crown and her third and fourth World Championships medals. As if all that wasn’t enough, she began her college career at Dartmouth in the spring of 2011. To find out more about Hannah outside of her skiing dominance, read on.
Name: Hannah Kearney (pronounced Car-ney)
Hometown: Norwich, VT
Sport: Freestyle moguls
Current location: The Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY
How/when did you decide you wanted to compete: I watched a competition at Waterville Valley when I was 8 years old, but I decided to wait until the next year to enter. After my first event and a win in my age group in upright aerials, I was hooked.
What is the biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Olympic gold
What are your goals for next season: To compete at the top of my ability level every time I get in the start gate and to compete a back full.
What is your favorite snow destination: Jay Peak, VT. I have fond childhood memories of the glades, epic eastern snowfall and the worst sunburn of my life when I skied without goggles or sunscreen in April.
What is your favorite non-snow destination: I always enjoy my visits to Scandinavia. I have never been there when the landscape was free from snow, but I plan to return when my ski career comes to a close.
If you weren't a professional athlete what would you be: A homemaker.
What was the time you've been most scared in your life: Twice I have become twisted up and disoriented in the middle of a back flip on snow. That is not a good feeling.
What is your biggest vice: I enjoy too many television shows.
What is your biggest pet peeve: The fart application on the iphone.
What is your advice to others who want to follow in your footsteps: I wish you the best of luck. Follow away, but please stay in school.