Believing that he should have won gold at the Beijing Olympics, Mikaël Kingsbury took his revenge by winning the crystal globe crowning the champion of the World Cup season by winning the finals in Megève.
Posted at 4:16 p.m.
Updated at 7:32 p.m.
Mikaël Kingsbury heard the “reproaches” about the Beijing Olympics, where he had to settle for the silver medal after holding back a little too much.
He has his own mind on the subject – he thinks a judge probably had a grudge against him – but there was no way the scenario would repeat itself at the World Cup finals.
With a slim 12-point priority over his rival Ikuma Horishima, the Canadian freestyle skier had no choice but to beat him to the singles event in Megève to win the little crystal globe crowning the season’s champion, Friday night.
Author of a masterful performance in Final 2, his Japanese friend did not make it easy for him.
Last to launch under the reflectors, Kingsbury flew over the spring bumps of the Savoyard resort, achieving a stunning time which earned him maximum points. It remained to know the appreciation of the judges of its jumps and its turns.
After a few seconds of waiting, he squinted to read the results on the board. When he realized that a “1” was juxtaposed to his name, the athlete from Deux-Montagnes let out a huge cry of joy before celebrating his 73and victory in the finish area. He put his hands on his helmet before taking it off and putting it back on, a little shocked.
“I wanted it more than anything,” he would say later after brandishing the famous crystal globe, despite his 19andby videoconference with Quebec media.
It was just really special to be at the top of the course and to know that my main rival was in first position. We were 12 points apart and I was the last to go. If some have criticized me for not having pushed hard enough at the Olympics, here I did the opposite. It was part of the plan.
Mikael Kingsbury
This speed proved to be decisive since he beat Horishima, better rated for the other two components, by only four hundredths of a point (86.27 vs 86.23).
If he “put everything on the table”, the athlete from Deux-Montagnes does not think that the outcome of the competition should have been so hot. With a reference time set at 22 seconds, he was not rewarded more than 20 points, the maximum allowed, for his descent half a second faster (21.49 seconds).
“I could have gone more quietly, but when you feel good… I wanted to win unequivocally. It shouldn’t have ended up tight like that. »
One thing is certain, Kingsbury absolutely had to win to maintain his priority over Horishima, who has fought constantly since the start of the season. Bronze medalist at the Olympics, the Japanese climbed the podium at each of the singles World Cup events, signing three victories against five for the Quebecer.
“Ikuma was incredible,” he praised. It was by far the most difficult season of my career. He didn’t miss a podium and I was still able to get the crystal globe. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved with probably the biggest rival I’ve ever had. »
PHOTO LISI NIESNER, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Ikuma Horishima at the Beijing Olympics
Swede Walter Wallberg, the man who mixed the cards by winning gold in Beijing, this time finished third despite an excellent performance (85.13 points).
Asked to clarify his thoughts on the “reproaches” he would have received after the Olympics, Kingsbury indicated that he believed he had done enough to win a second title. He regrets the severity of a judge who, according to him, “always tries not to make me win”.
“She was on the Olympic panel, he mentioned without naming her. It is sure that she had to have her say for the scores to be so close. I don’t blame myself for the Olympics. I could have gone faster, yes, but here for the globe, I promised myself to give my all. »
With this 73and success in the World Cup, Kingsbury scored twice as he secured the great cumulative globe in moguls. This reward will be given to him tomorrow after the parallel event. With this 20and globe, he is therefore approaching the 22 possessed by the American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, a mark he would like to exceed.
The triple Olympic medalist could add another on Saturday after the parallel competition. A globe will indeed be awarded for the first time in the discipline, where it holds a relatively comfortable priority of 80 points over Horishima (the winner receives 100 points, the next 80, etc.). Kingsbury need only skip one round to secure the title.
“We can say that 50% of the job is done. The fact remains that tomorrow is a big day. I have confidence, I’ve been so solid this year in duels with three starts and three wins. I like my chances. »
Canadians Alexandre Lavoie (14and), Gabriel Dufresne (15and) and Brenden Kelly (16and) took all the risks, but brought up the rear in final 1.
Justine Dufour-Lapointe bounces back
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Justine Dufour Lapointe
On the women’s side, Justine Dufour-Lapointe put her Olympic disappointment behind her by finishing fifth, her best result in a year and a half.
Victim of a dramatic fall on the Zhangjiakou course, the 27-year-old Montrealer experienced real peace of mind in the French Alps. She had “tears in her eyes” when the scores were announced.
It feels really good to feel calm, good, to get out my best ski. It’s so me, this competitor with fire in her eyes, who lets herself go. I had fun and that was my goal today. Just to ski for me. That’s what I was thinking at the top of the course.
Justine Dufour Lapointe
Nevertheless, the youngest of the Dufour-Lapointes also wondered about the work of the judges. “I don’t know what they want anymore,” said the two-time Olympic medalist. I look at the scores and each time they start with much lower base points. At this point, it looks like I can’t fight anymore than I do. Honestly, there’s nothing to do. Even I don’t understand. I always try to make as few mistakes as possible, to make the best landing jumps. It is a judged sport. Sometimes I feel like they have certain favorites. Right now, it’s clearly not me. »
Justine Dufour-Lapointe explained that she had not taken part in the World Cup the previous week in Italy because the Canadian federation refused to cover expenses other than those of Kingsbury. “I preferred to continue my vacation and keep my money to come here to France. »
Ninth in Beijing, his sister Chloé had to settle for 12and place in Megève, where the finals have been postponed for more than an hour due to persistent fog.
Their compatriots Maia Schwinghammer (13and), Sofiane Gagnon (14and) and Berkley Brown (18and) followed in that order.
A 5and globe for Laffont
PHOTO MARCO BERTORELLO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Perrine Laffont at the Beijing Olympics
Pushed back to fourth place at the Olympics, Perrine Laffont regained the favor of the judges, winning narrowly ahead of the Olympic gold medalist, the Australian Jakara Anthony. The Japanese Anri Kawamura, who held the yellow jersey leader until then, completed the podium.
Laffont, 2018 Olympic champion, thus won the fifth crystal globe of her career, ahead of Kawamura by a very small point (610 against 609).