Kingsbury Reaches Freestyle Skiing Finals Despite Distracting Light
The Olympic freestyle skiing qualifying rounds took place in Livigno, with several key performances to note. Canadian skier Mikaël Kingsbury managed to secure his spot in the finals, finishing third despite challenging light conditions on the course.
Kingsbury’s Performance Amidst Lighting Challenges
On the slopes, the visibility was affected by flat light, which impacted Kingsbury’s approach. He expressed some discomfort but still managed to achieve a score of 79.11. Reflecting on his performance, he commented, “It wasn’t my best run, but the goal was to move to the next round.”
Kingsbury, a renowned figure in freestyle skiing, acknowledged his recovery from a previous injury. At 31 years old, he continues to compete at high levels. The top ten skiers in this qualification round, both men and women, automatically advance to the finals, while the remaining competitors face a repechage, hoping for another chance.
Top Performers in Men’s Qualification
Japanese skier Ikuma Horishima topped the men’s qualification with a score of 85.42. Kingsbury noted that Horishima skied as if it was a final. Julien Viel, another Canadian, finished second with a score of 79.56, reflecting on the challenges posed by the mountain clouds.
- First Place: Ikuma Horishima – 85.42 points
- Second Place: Julien Viel – 79.56 points
- Third Place: Mikaël Kingsbury – 79.11 points
Other Canadian Athletes’ Progress
Elliot Vaillancourt, another Canadian competitor, finished 16th and will participate in the repechage for a chance to reach the finals. He described his experience as nerve-wracking yet fulfilling.
Women’s Qualification Highlights
In the women’s category, two Canadian skiers successfully qualified for the finals. Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert performed admirably, achieving an impressive score of 74.13 and securing the 8th position overall. She expressed her surprise at her strong performance against seasoned competitors.
Maïa Schwinghammer finished 6th, also expressing relief after her run. She noted the mental challenges of going last in the qualification round, which added to her nerves, but she ultimately succeeded.
- Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert: 74.13 points, 8th place
- Maïa Schwinghammer: 6th place
Others, including Ashley Koehler and Jessica Linton, will join the repechage round for another shot at the finals. Koehler shared her initial struggles with insomnia during the Games, while Linton honored a late teammate, Brayden Kuroda, with a special message on her helmet.
The repechage and finals for the women will be held on Wednesday, while the men’s rounds are scheduled for Thursday.
