Anthony secures another victory, Kingsbury reigns supreme in Idre
Dec 08, 2023·Freestyle
Following an electrifying launch to the 2023/24 season in Ruka (FIN), the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup resumed with high energy on Friday in Idre Fjäll, Sweden. In an exhilarating showcase of mogul skiing, Australia's Jakara Anthony clinched her second consecutive victory of the season in the women's competition. Meanwhile, Canada's Mikael Kingsbury demonstrated his dominance in the men's category, seizing the World Cup leader bib.
Idre Fjäll's true winter ambiance and a demanding course set the stage for an enthralling display of world-class mogul skiing. The competition was marked by a mix of surprising performances from rising stars and struggles from established names, ensuring an intriguing start to another captivating World Cup weekend.
Jakara Anthony, the 2022 Olympic Champion, continued her remarkable streak, leading the women's event from start to finish. Her exceptional skills in turns and jumps earned her a final score of 79.74 points, marking her 10th career victory in World Cup competitions.
The Japanese team's Rino Yanagimoto delivered a standout performance, showcasing her impressive skills to secure a runner-up position. This achievement marked her second top-3 finish, with her previous success also in Idre last year.
The U.S.'s Olivia Giaccio, consistent in her form, took the podium's third spot for the second consecutive time. Giaccio's dedication to improving her turns and speed over the summer was evident in her remarkable performance.
On the men's side, the competition was equally thrilling, with the younger generation of mogul skiers demonstrating their rising prowess. Despite the challenges, Mikael Kingsbury returned to his winning form as promised after placing third in Ruka. Focusing on turns and jumps rather than speed, Kingsbury scored an impressive 85.02 in the super final, significantly outperforming his competitors.
This victory added to Kingsbury's extensive list of accolades, making him the oldest winner in single moguls events and surpassing Janne Lahtela in this ranking.
American Nick Page, who enjoys competing in Sweden, claimed the second spot. After missing the finals in Ruka, Page's performance in Idre was a remarkable comeback, securing his first top-3 finish of the season.
Swedish talent Filip Gravenfors led the Swedish Moguls Team with a strong showing, landing his first podium in a single moguls event and contributing to the team's success with three athletes in the top-5.
The action in Idre Fjäll continues on Saturday with the season's first dual moguls. The preliminary rounds are scheduled for 9:30 CET, leading up to the highly anticipated finals at 12:30. Stay tuned for more thrilling moments from this premier skiing event.
QUICK LINKS:
Idre Fjäll World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
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