Bilodeau silver, Dufour-Lapointe bronze at FIS World Ski Mogul Championships
VOSS, NORWAY (March 6, 2013)– Mikael Kingsbury’s World Championship win here capped a three-medal day for Canada in the moguls. Alex Bilodeau finished with the silver medal and Justine Dufour-Lapointe took bronze.
After qualifying first in yesterday’s eliminations and first again today in the final, Kingsbury threw down a huge super final run that included a double twisting back flip off the top jump and a cork 1080, or triple twisting off-axis trick, off the second to take the title with a score of 27.59.
For the 20-year-old it was the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“I have been waiting a while for this and dreaming about the day that I would earn the World Championship title. I worked hard all summer to get to this day and I’m very happy,” he said, adding, “When I woke up this morning I was in a World Championship mood. I felt perfect. My body was perfect, so I knew it could be today.”
A bonus for Kingsbury was the fact that his parents made the trip to Norway to see him compete. “For sure it’s extra special that they’re here. Actually, I have no words for the whole experience right now, it’s going to have to sink in.”
Olympic Champion Alex Bilodeau wasn’t far behind Kingsbury, finishing with a score of 26.95. The defending dual mogul champion said, “I’m happy about my skiing today. I delivered what I could deliver and it wasn’t enough to win, but I did what I could. Congratulations to Mikael for his win.”
The medal secured the Rosemère, Que. native his provisional nomination to Canada’s 2014 Olympic squad through the CFSA’s Method A nomination procedure.
Rounding out the men’s podium from the six-man super final was Patrick Deneen of the US at 25.90.
Canadians Philippe Marquis of Quebec City and Marc-Antoine Gagnon of Terrebonne, Que. also qualified for today’s 18-man finals. They finished 15th and 17th, respectively.
For Justine Dufour-Lapointe the bronze medal at her first World Championships was a triumph that surpassed her placing. The 18-year-old fell in the first round of yesterday’s eliminations, but was saved by a new World Championship format that gave her, and everyone in the field who finished lower than 10th position, a second chance to earn a spot in the 18-woman finals.
After a little soul searching, the Montreal-native rebounded to pull out the performance she needed to earn a spot in today’s final.
“It was not easy,” she said, “And I’m so happy about my medal today, but in fact it’s not the medal so much as the path that I took to get it. The path was tough but I made it
“Actually, I think it was the hardest thing I have had in my career. When I crashed in the qualification I did not expect it at all. It was never in my head that that could happen and I really cried hard. I cried for two straight minutes, then I said to my mind, ‘It’s not over; you have to take off that pain and fight for the next qualifications. It’s your last chance.’ After that it was so much clearer in my mind — I fought and I finished at the top of the second qualification. And from all of that I learned a big lesson, that I am really strong and even if I get a big smash I can always stand up and fight again.”
Justine also secured her provisional Olympic nomination with her podium here today.
Olympic Champion Hannah Kearney earned her second World Championship title with a score of 26.7; Miki Ito of Japan won silver at 24.92. Justine scored 23.48
Canada’s strong women’s team all made it to finals, with Chloé Dufour-Lapointe finishing eighth, Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City in 11th and rookie Andi Naude of Penticton, B.C. in 12th position.
FIS World Championships action continues tomorrow with the Aerials final where Milton, Ont.’s Travis Gerrits will represent Canada after qualifying sixth today. Dual mogul qualifications also take place tomorrow.
Interviews/Teleconference:
The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association will hold media teleconferences following podium performances during the 2013 World Championships. Media advisories with specifics for the calls will be issued immediately following the race.
For athlete and coach interviews, please contact CFSA Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyle ski.com throughout the World Championships.
For more information, contact CFSA Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.
MOGULS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
MARCH 5 – VOSS, NORWAY
Complete FIS World Cup Results:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=31573&cal_suchsector=FS
Top 18 and Canadian Results:
MEN
| Position | Name | Nation | Score | |
| Results from Super Final | ||||
| 1 | KINGSBURY Mikael | CAN | 27.59 | |
| 2 | BILODEAU Alex | CAN | 26.95 | |
| 3 | DENEEN Patrick | USA | 25.9 | |
| 4 | GRAHAM Matt | AUS | 24.42 | |
| 5 | CHOI Jae-Woo | KOR | 23.94 | |
| 6 | SPETT Per | SWE | 23.38 | |
| Results from Final | ||||
| 7 | SUMMERS Brodie | AUS | 25.07 | |
| 8 | WILSON Bradley | USA | 24.82 | |
| 9 | SLATTEN Vinjar | NOR | 24.81 | |
| 10 | WILSON Bryon | USA | 24.81 | |
| 11 | HALL Sam | AUS | 24.60 | |
| 12 | ENDO Sho | JPN | 24.59 | |
| 13 | SMYSHLYAEV Alexandr | RUS | 24.55 | |
| 14 | WALCZYK Dylan | USA | 24.31 | |
| 15 | MARQUIS Philippe | CAN | 24.29 | |
| 16 | FJALLSTROM Ludvig | SWE | 24.11 | |
| 17 | GAGNON Marc-Antoine | CAN | 23.64 | |
| 18 | PENTTALA Jussi | FIN | ||
WOMEN
| Position | Name | Nation | Score | |
| Results from Super Final | ||||
| 1 | KEARNEY Hannah | USA | 26.7 | |
| 2 | ITO Miki | JPN | 24.92 | |
| 3 | DUFOUR-LAPOINTE Justine | CAN | 23.48 | |
| 4 | MCPHIE Heather | USA | 22.98 | |
| 5 | UEMURA Aiko | JPN | 22.24 | |
| 6 | MURATA Arisa | JPN | 15.29 | |
| Results from Final | ||||
| 7 | SUDOVA Nikola | CZE | 24.60 | |
| 8 | DUFOUR-LAPOINTE Chloe | CAN | 24.44 | |
| 9 | PERTAKHIYA Marika | RUS | 24.39 | |
| 10 | COX Britteny | AUS | 23.74 | |
| 11 | ROBICHAUD Audrey | CAN | 23.41 | |
| 12 | NAUDE Andi | CAN | 23.36 | |
| 13 | OUTTRIM Eliza | USA | 23.32 | |
| 14 | MATTHEWS Mikaela | USA | 23.22 | |
| 15 | SCANZIO Deborah | ITA | 22.70 | |
| 16 | SEO Jung-Hwa | KOR | 22.60 | |
| 17 | GALYSHEVA Yulia | KAZ | 22.49 | |
| 18 | PARKS Nicole | AUS | 21.53 | |
Read more in our News Archives.
For more information, contact CFSA Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin.
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