Mikaël Kingsbury Clinches Canada’s First Gold at Milano Cortina 2026
Mikaël Kingsbury made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games by winning Canada’s first gold medal in the inaugural men’s dual moguls competition. This victory marks a significant milestone for Kingsbury, who is a renowned freestyle skier from Deux-Montagnes, Quebec.
Mikaël Kingsbury’s Remarkable Olympic Journey
The gold medal came after an exciting final against Ikuma Horishima of Japan, who took home the silver medal. Australian skier Matt Graham secured the bronze, completing the medal podium.
Previous Achievements
- First gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026
- Two gold medals and three silver medals across five Olympic appearances
- Notable wins: Gold in 2018, silver in 2014 and 2022
Competition Overview
This event was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first Olympic appearance of men’s dual moguls. The format allows two skiers to race simultaneously, with scores based on speed, technique, and aerial performance.
Path to Gold
Kingsbury demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the competition. He started strong with a decisive 25-10 victory over Matyas Kroupa of Czechia in the round of 16. Following this, he defeated Kazakhstan’s Pavel Kolmakov with a score of 23-12.
In the quarterfinals, Kingsbury advanced when Daeyoon Jung from South Korea did not finish the race. He further solidified his place in the finals by beating Japan’s Takuya Shimakawa, ensuring a medal with a 33-2 victory in the semifinals.
Canadian Representation
While Kingsbury excelled, other Canadian competitors faced challenges. Elliot Vaillancourt from Drummondville lost in the first round to Shimakawa, and Julien Viel from Quebec City crashed during his 1/8 final, resulting in a did not finish status.
Overall, Kingsbury’s gold adds to his illustrious career, underscoring his status as a leading figure in men’s freestyle skiing and enhancing Canada’s presence in Olympic winter sports.
