Calgary, Alberta – The 2024/25 FIS Freestyle World Cup season began with an emotional triumph for Canadian mogul skiing icon Mikaël Kingsbury, who clinched his 11th victory on the challenging Battery Run course in Ruka, Finland. With an impressive 83.90-point final run, Kingsbury once again demonstrated why is his celebrated as the “King of Moguls,” earning his 91st career World Cup win.
This victory held special meaning for the 31-year-old, as it marked his first World Cup medal as a father. Kingsbury’s three-month-old son, Henrik, and his family were in Finland to share the memorable moment – a fitting start to what promises to be an exciting season.
“It’s so cool to have my family here and win in front of my kid. It’s super special, and probably among the top three wins of my career, just because he’s here,” Kingsbury shared, beaming with pride.
Renowned for his precision and ability to perform under pressure, Kingsbury expressed his affection for Ruka, a venue where he has consistently excelled. “I love Ruka – it’s one of my favorites on the circuit. It’s good to get the momentum, get the yellow bib, and start the season well. I’ve been skiing well, I feel super relaxed; it’s been awesome.”
Kingsbury’s coach, Michael Hamelin, praised his athlete’s ability to thrive under tough conditions: “The conditions in Ruka were difficult this year. Mik controlled everything he could. He was, as always, Mik – the King of Moguls.”
Fellow Canadians delivered strong performances, with Elliott Vaillancourt securing an impressive 8th place finish in the men’s event and Maia Schwinghammer narrowly missing the podium, finishing 4th women’s competition. Other Canadian competitors included Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert (21st) and Jessica Linton (22nd) on the women’s side, and Gabriel Dufresne (17th), Charles Beaulieu (23rd), Julien Viel (28th), Samuel Goodison (43rd), and Sam Cordell (DNF) in the men’s field.
The World Cup tour now heads to Idre Fjäll, Sweden, for Mogul and Dual Mogul competitions on December 6-7. With the yellow bib and fresh momentum, Kingsbury is well positioned to build on his success as he continues to add to his already legendary career.
