The Freestyle Ski Opening officially kicked off the World Cup season 2016/2017 with a single moguls competition that saw Britteny Cox (AUS) and Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) taking big wins under the lights in Ruka Ski Resort.
In the ladies competition Australian Britteny Cox stormed through the course today, with style and grace, for her first-ever World Cup win. All this happening seven years after she first entered the World Cup circuit back in 2010 in Deer Valley. While Cox has already stood several times on the World Cup podium before, also taking the third place at the World Championships in Kreischberg in 2015, today’s results is without a doubt the biggest one in her career.
“I’m just over the moon to have my first win. It’s been my goal for a long time now and I was really hungry for it. I’m super happy to put some solid runs in the finals especially here in Ruka, where I love competing”.
Second place went to Perrine Laffont (FRA) who ended up with a score of 73.13, falling behind the winner Britteny Cox by less than 0.5 point. Perceived as one of the favorites for the overall World Cup ranking, Laffont gained some precious points advantage over her last year’s biggest rivals Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe. Canadian skiers finished the competition on fifth and eighth place respectively.
“I’m feeling so good to start the season with a place on the podium. I was really stressed at the start, but everything worked out just fine and I’m really happy with my result today”.
2013 and 2014 FIS Junior World Champion from Valmalenco (ITA), Keaton McCargo (USA) scored big today as she claimed her first World Cup podium with a third place finish in Ruka.
“I’m still in shock, but also very excited about it. I’m glad I have a chance to share the podium with two of my good friends from the World Cup tour”.
On the men’s side unstoppable Mikael Kingsbury went for his 34 World Cup victory and simply dominated the competition. Kingsbury was fast and kept stomping his tricks all day long repeating his last year’s result from Ruka and finishing the day on top of the podium.
“It always feels amazing to win. I had a good feeling today when I woke up. I saw a little bit of fresh snow on the course and I think I picked the good line. Before dropping in for the final run I knew Ben and Matt scored in the 80s. I did 82 and 83 in the previous run so I knew that I had to stay clean and not to push too much. It worked out and it feels unbelievable”.
Matt Graham (AUS) inspired by a phenomenal performance by his teammate Britteny Cox, also gave his best and ended up taking the second spot, falling short only to Kingsbury.
“I’m very happy to start the season with second place. My best result here in the past was fourth so it’s nice to finally step on the podium and share it with my teammate Britt. It’s a very good day for Australia”.
Third place on the day belonged to Benjamin Cavet (FRA) who rounded up the podium with his first-ever single moguls World Cup top 3 result.
“I’m very happy with today’s results. I like skiing fast and do big jumps and this is how it is here in Ruka, so all in all it’s a perfect day for me”.
The moguls World Cup now takes a holiday break and will come back after the New Years Eve with the next competition taking place in Lake Placid on 13th of January.
LINKS:
Ladies' moguls World Cup Ranking
Men's moguls World Cup Ranking
2016/17 FIS Freestyle Skiing moguls World Cup preview
2016/17 FIS Freestyle Skiing moguls World Cup schedule
Source: fis-ski.com
