Canadians Excel, Climb Ranks in Men’s Moguls Qualifying Rounds
During the men’s moguls qualifying rounds in Livigno, Italy, two Canadians showcased exceptional talent on Tuesday. Quebec’s Mikaël Kingsbury, a formidable figure in the sport, achieved third place. He is renowned for his impressive record of 100 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals, including a gold from the 2014 Sochi Games.
In an impressive performance, 24-year-old Julien Viel secured second place, narrowly ahead of Kingsbury. The top position went to Ikuma Horishima from Japan, who is 28 years old. The results remained unchanged in the second qualifying round, setting up a competitive showdown among Kingsbury, Viel, and Horishima for the upcoming medal event.
Men’s Moguls Qualifying Round Results
- 1st: Ikuma Horishima (Japan)
- 2nd: Julien Viel (Canada)
- 3rd: Mikaël Kingsbury (Canada)
- 16th: Elliot Vaillancourt (Canada)
The final rounds of the competition are scheduled for Thursday at 6:15 a.m. ET. For Kingsbury, this Olympics is significant as it represents his last chance to compete at this level. He has expressed his desire to enjoy the experience, stating, “I just want to ski and have fun.” His family is present in Livigno to support him during this important event.
Competitive Landscape
Kingsbury is particularly focused on the dual moguls competition, which will take place on February 16. He is aware of the challenges posed by Horishima, who earned a bronze medal in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Horishima has consistently proven to be a strong competitor with a series of World Cup victories.
“I know he can go crazy and he’s capable of doing the 1440,” Kingsbury commented, highlighting the challenging trick that requires four aerial rotations. “We have been pushing this sport to another level for a couple of years.”
Olympic Medal Standings
In related Olympic news, Norway’s Birk Ruud claimed victory in the men’s freestyle event, edging out Alex Hall of the United States for the silver. Luca Harrington from New Zealand secured the bronze medal.
This victory contributes to Norway’s impressive standings in the medal table, featuring five golds, one silver, and three bronzes. Switzerland and Italy follow in the rankings, while Canada currently holds the 12th spot with two bronzes and one silver.
As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on Kingsbury and the Canadian team as they aim to leave their mark in the final rounds of the men’s moguls event.
