Junko Hoshino produced a career high when she placed second in a women's freestyle moguls World Cup competition at Tazawako ski resort on Saturday.

Hoshino was runnerup to 2010 Vancouver Olympic champion Hannah Kearney of the United States. Canada's Audrey Robichaud was third. Until now, the 25-year-old Hoshino's top finish on the World Cup circuit had been third.

Hoshino qualified in fourth and was in second place in her first run in the finals. In the six-woman second run, Hoshino scored 78.04 points, 1.08 behind Kearney.