Kearney, Bilodeau in freestyle spotlight

Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the US is favored to retain her women's moguls Olympic crown while Canada's Alex Bilodeau is tipped for more glory in the men's event as freestyle skiing gets under way on Thursday.

In the women's aerials competition, China's Li Nina will be looking to make it third time lucky after taking silver at the past two Games in Turin and Vancouver and China's men will also be a major threat.

No 1-ranked Kearney, the 2005 and 2013 world moguls champion, has dominated the sport in recent years but said the competition is getting tougher.