SAINT-COME | After a rare crash on Friday during the individual competition of the World Cup in Val Saint-Côme, Mikaël Kingsbury bounced back in style on Saturday to win gold in the parallel mogul race, signing 85the victory of his career.
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“I'm really happy to get back on my feet, especially on a track like this that doesn't benefit me,” said the King of Moguls. It's satisfying to have come home again. I am very happy. As we saw on Friday, when three 6-foot-tall, muscular guys took the podium, it's a difficult slope for skiers with a smaller frame like me. Matt Graham also won bronze on Saturday and he is strong as an ox and Filip [Gravenfors] won a second medal.”
Didier Debusschere / Le Journal de Québec
The evening wasn't easy and was punctuated by some good fights. In the semi-final against Australian Matt Graham, the three-time Olympic champion had a big scare when he narrowly avoided falling. Kingsbury crossed himself as the banknotes came out to confirm his victory.
“When I went to bed on Friday, I knew it was going to be a big day and it was going to be difficult,” Kingsbury said. I'm glad I did it. I had a good run in the semi-final, but I made a mistake that could have cost me dearly.”
In the final, the Swede Gravenfors crossed the finish line 0 seconds, 65 seconds ahead of Kingsbury, but the quality of the Quebecer's skiing changed the situation. “My landing on the bottom jump was really bad and Mik deserved the win,” said Gravenfors. I kept my fingers crossed while waiting for the notes, but Mik is very good.
Didier Debusschere / Le Journal de Québec
Scary collision
In the small final between Matt Graham and the Frenchman Benjamin Cavet there was a violent clash between the two veterans. Cavet fell and Graham couldn't avoid him, crashing heavily into his opponent's stomach.
“It’s scary,” Kingsbury concluded. It was the most stressful moment of the day. Ben's bib and jacket were torn. He will feel it on Sunday. Before I left, someone warned me that everyone was fine. That made me relieved. This is the most dangerous incident in our sport. We go downhill at high speed and our skis are sharp.”
Gabriel Dufresne was disqualified
In the round of 16 against Elliot Vaillancourt, Gabriel Dufresne was disqualified for crossing the halfway line. Vaillancourt fell and a snow flurry disturbed Dufresne, who in turn fell. After the video was played back, the judges found that the local favorite had crossed the center line. It received the designation “not finished” (DNF).
Vaillancourt, silver medalist on Friday, finished in the round of 16 against Graham, losing by a slim point. “I gave everything I had,” he concluded. I thought I had done enough. Despite wearing the number 25 due to his absence due to injury at the start of the season, Graham is no tourist. We both skied well.”
“After my medal I was in a special mood as I chased Vaillancourt who finished 9th. Mission accomplished and my brain wanted to relax, but for the duel I had to start from scratch. After my podium finish I was more motivated than in France, but I have to get used to it.”
Julien Viel finished just behind Vaillancourt. “I started my weekend very badly, but I made progress and finished my best run well. I’m not happy with my result, but I finished well.”
The Swede Walter Wallberg, winner of the individual on Friday and reigning champion in the parallel mogul race in Val Saint-Côme, was unable to take part due to a knee injury. The Japanese Ikuma Horishima, who wears the yellow jersey in the singles, had to admit defeat to the Korean Daeyoon Jung in the round of 16.
Victory for Jakara Anthony
Jakara Anthony continued his dominance and secured his eighth win in nine races. The Australian prevailed against the American Jaelin Kauf. The Canadian Berkley Brown achieved the best result of her career with a 6th place. Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert took 9th place.
“I'm really proud that I finished just 0.03 seconds behind the fast American Olivia Giaccio. I did my best. You never know what can happen in a duel. I’m happy with my weekend.”