Freestyle skier Jennifer Heil won Canada's first 2010 Olympic medal on Saturday evening (Feb. 13), winning silver in the women's moguls under constant rain at Cypress Mountain.
The silver is bitter sweet, however, as the 26-year-old of Spruce Grove, Alta. was favoured to earn Canada's first gold medal on home soil. Instead, American Hannah Kearney earned her county's first gold medal of the Vancouver Games. Fellow American Shannon Bahrke won bronze.
"There's no doubt about it, I was going for that gold medal," said Heil during a press conference.
"That was in my sights, but I truly feel like I won silver today and I'm really proud of my performance, but also everything behind me, of how well supported I've been to this point. I'm just so proud to be a Canadian at this moment in time."
Heil's score on turns, air and time totalled 25.69, not quite as dialled as Kearney's score of 26.63.
Kearney's performance redeemed a poor showing at the 2006 Torino Games, where she was favoured to medal but instead placed 22nd. She hopes the gold spurs on her fellow American Olympians, she said.
"That's been a huge goal of mine. Go Team USA," said Kearney. "I really want to be a part of an Olympic montage. I think I've earned my right now and if I can inspire any other American athlete [] if this can encourage and send a positive vibe and set the tone for the Americans, I'll take it."
Chloe Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal placed fifth and Kristi Richards of Pemberton had a crash in the final to finish 20th.
