Hannah Kearney (USA) was joined by Canadians Kristi Richards, Friday's winner, and 2006 Olympic champion Jennifer Heil on the ladies' podium on Saturday at Finnish Suomu. Kearney followed her qualification round win with a convincing final score of 25.68. Richards scored 24.97 and Heil 24.92.
"I feel everything is just coming together," said Richards, 28. "I've been working on the same technique for four years, and it's time (to perform)."
Richards was in jeopardy of missing Saturday's final after almost failing to land her opening jump, but she picked up the pace to qualify. After that, it was more up-tempo skiing and cleaner jumps in the final.
"There was nothing to lose, so I was one of the fastest again and I skied like I know how to ski."
Heil, the defending Olympic moguls champion, wasn't pleased with her weekend, despite fifth and third place finishes."My transmission got a little bit jammed in third, but I was ready to get into fourth," said Heil, 26. "I'm disappointed with my performance this weekend, but it's a starting point," she said.
Americans took the next four spots.
In the men's event, suprisingly strong Jesper Bjoernlund of Sweden doubled up after winning the opening event on Friday.
Byron Wilson of the U.S. was just 1/100th of a point back, for his second second place finish in as many days. Nathan Roberts of the U.S. edged Bilodeau 24.87 to 24.75 for the third place.Alex Bilodeau of Rosemère, Que., was fourth Saturday.
Bilodeau, 22, admitted he was perplexed by the judging but pleased by his own skiing. "I did my best run today in the finals, but my score was higher in the qualifications this morning. My skiing's really good. I'm where I want to be, but I have no control over the judging."
"It's also harder on an easier course like this," he admitted, "to see the difference between a good skier and a great skier."
