Armed with three new crystal globes, Mikaël Kingsbury is hungrier than ever and he wants even more.
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After confirming his title in the individual event on Friday, Kingsbury won the dual moguls globe and the combined event in both disciplines on Saturday at the last World Cup of the season in Almaty, Kazakhstan, beating his great Swedish rival Walter Wallberg by 0.03 s.
This victory is the 80e career in the World Cup for the pride of Deux-Montagnes.
“It’s fun to finish the season with a win, and even more to reach a round number,” he said. Even though I’m 30, I feel like I can keep improving in a sport where perfection doesn’t exist. »
“It’s motivating for the future. The plateau of 90 victories is attainable and that of 100 victories may be in the equation. After a break, I will resume training in the gym and I will be back on the snow in June or July. Even if I go one season at a time, it’s clear that I want to be there in 2026 in Italy. »
Tied with the Canadian
Kingsbury now has 24 globes to its credit, the same number as the Stanley Cup conquests by the Montreal Canadiens.
“It’s very cool, I hadn’t thought of that,” said Kingsbury, a great hockey fan. All that’s missing is the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have won the World Series 27 times.
Asked about the legacy he will leave to his sport when he retires, Kingsbury does not want to project himself into the future.
“I live in the present moment and I am fully motivated. It is certain that I will leave a legacy and not only in Quebec, but I will have time to think about it when I retire. It’s really special what I do and my number of victories is very impressive, but I don’t practice my sport to beat another athlete. »
Great comeback
After a strong start at the first three World Cup stages, Kingsbury saw his lead in the standings melt away like snow in the sun when he crashed in qualifying duels at the World Cup in Alpe Huez, France, December 17. The day before, he had won silver in the individual event.
“In 14 seconds, I lost everything, he summed up his fall in the dual moguls event in the round of 32. The gap I had managed to widen with my opponents gone. It hurts to finish in 29th place when you are used to success. »
The knife between the teeth, Kingsbury appeared in Val-Saint-Côme on January 27 and 28 for the resumption of the World Cup.
“Walter beat me in the final in a duel and he took the yellow leader’s jersey. I took it back the following weekend in Deer Valley, but I knew it would be tight until the end. »
It ended in Almaty, but the fight was tighter last year, solo, against the Japanese Ikuma Horishima.
“I’ve been through a rollercoaster of emotions, but I’ve had an extraordinary end to the season,” added the three-time Olympic medalist. I won two gold medals at the world championship and won twice here. Thank you to my team of coaches and physical preparation who allowed me to be in great shape and finish strong. »
Canadian Championship
The Val-Saint-Côme resort will be the scene of the Canadian moguls championship on March 25 and 26.
“It’s always nice to ski in Val-Saint-Côme, which is one of the most beautiful slopes in the world,” said Mikaël Kingsbury. The track is in the sun and it will be hot. »
Since 2015, Kingsbury has consistently won gold at the Canadian Championship.