SOCHI, Russia — Hannah Kearney’s voice was breaking and no doubt her heart was doing the same.
“Right now, I would like very much to ski again,” Kearney said. “I think instead I will try my absolute best to let it go. I think it will help my happiness levels moving forward.”
The bronze medalist was distraught over a mistake in the medal round of the women’s moguls, which put her on the podium behind two Canadian sisters, gold medalist Justine Dufour-Lapointe and silver medalist Chloe Dufour-Lapointe.
Four years ago, Kearney had upset Canadian favorite Jenn Heil in Vancouver. This time Canada struck back.
“You don’t prepare for this moment,” Kearney said. “You prepare for success. I think I knew if I didn’t win gold, I was going to be very disappointed. I didn’t ski the best run of my life.”
Record-breaker: The Winter Olympic record for most medals is in position to be broken after Ole Einar Bjoerndalen won the men’s biathlon 10-kilometer sprint.
The Norwegian won his 12th medal and seventh gold. He is tied with fellow Norwegian cross-country legend Bjorn Daehlie and should break his record when he competes later in the men’s and mixed relays.
Bjoerndalen, 40, also set a record for the oldest gold-medal winner. Canadian skeleton rider Duff Gibson was 39 when he won gold in 2006.
Tim Burke was the highest U.S. finisher in 19th.
More from Norway: Norway continued its dominance of cross-country skiing as Marit Bjoergen won the women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon, her fourth lifetime gold. Bjoergen, 33, also became the oldest woman to win an individual cross-country gold medal.
Jessica Diggins finished eighth for the U.S. in a race that has 7.5 kilometers of classical-style skiing followed by the same distance in freestyle.
Hitting the deck: Alpo Suhonen’s fall from grace as Blackhawks coach was quick after one season during which he guided the team to a 29-41-8 record in 2000-01.
Not as quick as the stumble Suhonen took during the opening ceremony, however, when he face-planted while walking with the Austrian delegation.
Suhonen, who is Finnish but is working with the Austrian hockey team, was filming the event when he tripped on an edge on the track and went down.
Suhonen, 65, told the Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat the ceremony was special for him because goaltending great Vladislav Tretiak lit the Olympic cauldron. Tretiak served as the Hawks’ goaltending coach during Suhonen’s time with the team.
Who needs luck? Gregor Schlierenzauer has never been an individual Olympic champion, and he knows that winning the men’s normal-hill ski-jumping event Sunday won’t be easy.
“Gold medal is my goal,” the Austrian said. “To win at the Olympic Games, you need not only good form but also luck.”
Another talented Austrian, Michael Hayboeck, finished atop Saturday’s qualifications.
“I’ll do the same as I did now, nothing different, and hope for a medal,” Hayboeck said.
John Cherwa, Chris Kuc and David Wharton contributed.
ALSO
U.S. Figure Skating denies report of ice dance collusion
Marco Sullivan barely avoids bad spill in downhill training
American Sage Kotsenburg wins gold medal in men’s slopestyle
