Canadian freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury, the reigning Olympic silver medallist, shared that he is nearing full recovery from a left groin injury as he gears up to make his comeback at the World Cup moguls event in Val St-Côme, Quebec. Kingsbury encountered the injury during training four months ago and had to withdraw from the men’s small final at the season’s kick-off in Ruka, Finland.
While acknowledging that he is not yet at 100%, Kingsbury expressed satisfaction with his progress on a call with reporters. He emphasized the importance of making wise decisions considering the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina next month, which are his primary focus. The skier, boasting 99 World Cup victories, is set to compete in single moguls on Friday and will assess his condition for potential participation in dual moguls the following day.
Having excelled on the challenging Val St-Côme course, Kingsbury reminisced about his past victories at the venue, including sweeping singles and dual moguls on consecutive days last February. The skier highlighted his fondness for competing in front of loved ones and familiar faces, citing the course as a key training ground between races.
Kingsbury, eyeing his 100th career win, revealed that the milestone became a realistic goal three years ago during a conversation with his mental coach. Despite the groin injury setback, he remains optimistic about achieving this feat while emphasizing the importance of not placing excessive pressure on himself. The skier detailed his recovery regimen, which includes various therapies to aid in pain reduction and tissue healing.
With the Winter Olympics drawing near, Kingsbury acknowledged the significance of being a role model for aspiring athletes, recalling his own childhood dreams. The skier emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation and expressed his desire to deliver a memorable performance for his fans. The next World Cup event after Val St-Côme is scheduled for January 15-16 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, following a venue change due to early-season weather conditions.
As Kingsbury continues his journey back to full form, anticipation grows for his return to the competitive skiing scene, with fans eagerly awaiting his performance at the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy.