Armed with three new crystal balls, Mikaël Kingsbury is hungrier than ever and wants more.
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After confirming his individual title on Friday, Kingsbury won the double moguls globe and the combined score in both disciplines at the final World Cup of the season in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday, beating his great Swedish rival Walter Wallberg by 0, 03 seconds struck.
This win is the 80th in his World Cup career for the Deux-Montagnes pride.
“It’s fun to end the season with a win and it’s even more fun to get a round number,” he said. Even though I’m 30, I feel like I can keep improving in a sport where perfection doesn’t exist. »
“That motivates for the future. The plateau of 90 wins is achievable and that of 100 wins can be included in the equation. After a break I will resume training in the gym and get back on the snow in June or July. Even if I go season after season, it is clear that I want to be there in Italy in 2026. »
Associated with the Canadian
Kingsbury now has 24 Globes under his belt, the same number as the Montreal Canadiens’ Stanley Cup conquests.
“It’s very cool, I hadn’t thought of that,” said Kingsbury, a big hockey fan. Just missing the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have won the World Series 27 times.
When asked what legacy he will leave to the sport when he retires, Kingsbury doesn’t want to project himself into the future.
“I live in the present moment and I am fully motivated. It’s certain that I’ll leave a legacy, and not just in Quebec, but I’ll have time to think about it when I retire. It’s really special what I do and my record of wins is very impressive, but I don’t do my sport to beat another athlete. »
Great comeback
After a strong start in the first three World Cup stages, Kingsbury saw his overall lead melt away like snow in the sun as he finished 17th. The day before he had won silver in the individual.
“In 14 seconds I lost everything,” he summarized his crash in the double hump race on the last 32. The gap I was able to increase after my opponents were gone. It hurts to finish 29th when you’re used to success. »
Knife between his teeth, Kingsbury appeared in Val-Saint-Côme on January 27th and 28th for the resumption of the World Cup.
“Walter beat me in a duel in the final and got the yellow leader’s jersey. I took it back the following weekend in Deer Valley, but I knew it was going to be close to the end. »
It ended in Almaty, but the fight was closer last year, solo, against Japan’s Ikuma Horishima.
“I’ve been through a roller coaster of emotions but I had an exceptional end to the season,” added the three-time Olympic champion. I’ve won two gold medals at the World Championships and won twice here. Many thanks to my coaching staff and my physical preparation which allowed me to be in great shape and finish strong. »
Canadian Championship
The resort of Val-Saint-Côme will host the Canadian Moguls Championship on March 25th and 26th.
“It’s always nice to ski in Val-Saint-Côme, which is one of the most beautiful slopes in the world,” said Mikaël Kingsbury. The track is in the sun and it’s going to be hot. »
Kingsbury has consistently won gold at the Canadian Championships since 2015.