Hannah Kearney expresses disappointment with Olympic bronze medal

Mogul skier Hannah Kearney (right) expressed disappointment in ending her Olympic run with a bronze medal. (Javier Soriano/Getty Images)

American mogul skier Hannah Kearney won the bronze medal in Sochi, failing to defend her title as Olympic moguls champion. She won the gold medal in Vancouver in 2010 and was hoping to repeat the accomplishment this year.

Kearney entered the final round with the best qualifying score, allowing her to be the last skier in the final round. However, she faltered slightly after the first jump and ultimately finished third behind Canadian sisters Chloé Dufour-Lapointe and Justine Dufour-Lapointe, who finished second and first, respectively.

The 27-year-old skier was the overwhelming favorite to win the event. Kearney took to Facebook to express her disappointment:

Sochi Bronze. I regretfully report that I did not ski my best today and that it just so happened to be a very important event. After a gold medal four years ago, and an immense amount of training since, a bronze medal is not what I was dreaming of. I am disappointed in my performance, yet grateful that I got to represent my country at the Olympics for a third time and contribute to this year's Team USA medal count. I know this experience will make me a better, stronger person. Congrats to theLes Soeurs Dufour-Lapointe and thank you to my friends and family for the support.