Chelsea Henitiuk of Whistler, B.C., launched her 2009-2010 season with a second place finish in women’s moguls on Wednesday at the U.S. Selections in freestyle skiing...

Laurel Shanley of the U.S., won the gold medal with 23.63 points. Henitiuk followed at 21.83 and Alison Digravio of the U.S., was third at 21.75. It was a best-ever international result for the 21-year-old Henitiuk in her sixth season on the National Team.

“I’m so happy with the result,” said Henitiuk, a two-time world junior team member. “It was my first competition this year and I was feeling nervous in qualifying this morning (she placed seventh). I was committed to having a really good final and pushed myself really hard.”

Sylvia Kerfoot of Vancouver was sixth, Alexandra Dufresne of Lorraine, Que., 18th, Béatrice Bilodeau of Rosemère, Que., 22nd and Morgan Hunter of Calgary 26th.

Henitiuk’s main goal this season is to earn berths to World Cup events and with a silver start to the season she may get her chance at the upcoming Canada Post Grand Prix FIS World Cup in Calgary in January.

I had a great off-season of training,” said Henitiuk. “I really wanted to get off to a strong start like this. The key to success for me this year will be my speed. I just want to go fast.’’

Photo credit: Canadian Freestyle Ski Association