Freestyle skiing champion Mikaël Kingsbury opted out of the dual moguls event on Saturday following his landmark 100th World Cup triumph in men’s moguls the day before. The competition in Val Saint-Come, Quebec marked Kingsbury’s first appearance this season, having missed the season opener due to a groin injury.
Despite his victory on Friday, Kingsbury was uncertain about participating in consecutive races. A statement released by his spokesperson on Saturday confirmed the Canadian athlete’s decision to sit out of the dual moguls competition. The statement emphasized that this choice aligns with Kingsbury’s strategy to ensure a healthy return to competition and readiness for the upcoming Olympic Games.
The upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, commencing on February 6, will introduce dual moguls as an Olympic discipline. Kingsbury, who secured Olympic gold in moguls in 2018 and silver in 2014 and 2022, boasts an impressive track record with nine gold medals in moguls and dual moguls at the world championships.
In addition to Kingsbury, nine other Canadian male skiers and nine Canadian female skiers participated in the men’s and women’s dual moguls events, respectively.