Mikaël Kingsbury became world champion for the eighth time on Sunday, earning the dual moguls title at the World Freestyle Skiing Championships.
Crowned the day before in singles, he obtained a third straight double at the Worlds in Bakuriani, Georgia on Sunday.
“It really means a lot to me. [trois de suite], Kingsbury said, via videoconference. It’s incredible. »
The Quebecer also discussed who were other great champions who inspired him when he was younger.
“Of course there was Jean-Luc Brassard, and then Alexandre Bilodeau has always been a model for me. They kinda paved the way. »
“I had role models in several sports,” continued the 30-year-old athlete. I really like Formula 1. I listen [la série documentaire] Drive to Survive and Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion.
“I got up and realized that I could have that title once more than him, and we are talking about one of my idols here. »
Kingsbury had also achieved the double of the two events in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2021, as well as in Deer Valley, Utah, in 2019.
The skier from Deux-Montagnes won 19-16 in the grand final against Swede Walter Wallberg, bronze medalist the day before.
Wallberg beat him to gold at the Beijing Olympics in February 2022.
“I gave it my all and it was if you want a perfect script,” Kingsbury said. It was kind of my redemption. »
Silver medalist the day before, Australian Matt Graham won the small final, 20-15 ahead of Kazakh Pavel Kolmakov.
Before reaching the final round, Kingsbury defeated Elliott Vaillancourt of Drummondville and American Dylan Marcellini.
After these victories at three Worlds in a row, Kingsbury would like to leave their mark even more at this event.
“Of course I want to continue my momentum in 2025, said the Quebecer. I am motivated in life and I like challenges. I know it’s not going to be easy, because the competition is stronger than ever. »
“The most important thing is that I still find pleasure in it. I will continue to work hard to stay on top of my game. »
Gabriel Dufresne of Joliette had the best score of the quarter-finals, finishing fifth overall.
On the women’s side, the Frenchwoman Perrine Laffont triumphed for the second day in a row.
She prevailed 20-15 against American Jaelin Kauf, also second on Saturday.
The podium was completed by Avital Carroll of Austria, finishing third for the second day in a row.
Maïa Schwinghammer of Saskatoon finished eighth, two spots ahead of Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert of Ste-Adèle.
It was the 19e edition of the World Championships since the first event disputed in Tignes in France, in 1986.