Canadians Dominate FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup Moguls in France
Calgary, Alberta – December 16, 2023
After an electrifying two weeks of freestyle skiing action in Finland and Sweden, the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup moguls tour made a triumphant return to competition in France on Friday where Mikael Kingsbury and Elliot Vaillancourt reached the top of the podium. The renowned Alpe d’Huez venue played host to the third consecutive weekend of thrilling moguls skiing, with Canadians taking center stage and clinching the top two spots.
Under clear blue skies and mild temperatures that created a spring-like atmosphere in mid-December, the world’s best mogul skiers showcased their skills on an excellent course with perfect snow conditions. The challenging course at Alpe d’Huez provided a stunning backdrop for a display of top-tier mogul skiing, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.
Mikael Kingsbury, the King of Moguls, once again emerged victorious in the moguls event with the 83 World Cup gold medal of his career, securing his third straight victory in the World Cup. Kingsbury, who had dominated the previous week in Idre, demonstrated his exceptional skills in both qualifiers and final rounds, earning an impressive 86.55 points. His flawless turns and high jump scores propelled him to the top without the need to push for time.
In a remarkable celebration of his 40th World Cup start, Elliot Vaillancourt, another talented Canadian, claimed his first podium finish by securing the second spot. Vaillancourt’s impressive performance added to the Canadian dominance in the competition, highlighting the depth of talent within the team.
Freestyle Canada Mogul Coach Michel Hamelin had the following to say about Mikaels’ and Elliots’ Medals: For Elliot! “Stick to the game plan! Elliot is really explosive as a person. A lot of energy. We need to control that. He had a plan and he followed it”
For Mik “it was about Precision! The course was challenging in a lot of areas, To get a big score you needed to be crazy precise”
Mikael Kingsbury’s stellar performance in France solidified his position at the top of both moguls and dual moguls standings, showcasing his consistency and mastery in the discipline. As the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup moguls tour continues its thrilling journey, the Canadian team is undoubtedly leaving an indelible mark on the season, setting the stage for more exciting battles on the slopes in the weeks to come.
