Waterville set to host its first Moguls World Cup event
Jan 25, 2024·Freestyle
Waterville Valley, a name deeply ingrained in the history of freestyle skiing, is gearing up for its inaugural moguls World Cup event on January 26-27. Following an electrifying event in Val St. Come, Canada, the moguls World Cup tour now heads to the USA's Waterville Valley for a thrilling weekend of moguls and dual moguls competitions.
Waterville Valley holds a special place in the history of freestyle skiing. Over 50 years ago, it was the birthplace of modern freestyle skiing, stemming from a friendly challenge between Tom Corcoran, Olympic alpine skier and founder of Waterville Valley Resort, and Doug Pfeiffer, editor of Skiing magazine. Their debate over who were the best skiers led to the creation of the first "Hot Dog Competition: National Championships of Exhibition Skiing" in 1971, blending aerials, moguls, and ballet in a single run.
The event reflected the adventurous spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s, drawing thousands of spectators. It was a seminal moment, showcasing the potential of freestyle skiing. Since then, Waterville Valley has been instrumental in advancing freestyle skiing, hosting numerous events and nurturing generations of skiers through its programs and facilities like The Boneyard, New Hampshire's first terrain park.
The upcoming World Cup event is a significant milestone for Waterville Valley, marking the resort's first freestyle World Cup since its pivotal role in the sport's development. The resort's extensive history in hosting national-level freestyle events, including the 2023 national championships, has paved the way for this world-class competition.
The event will take place on Lower Bobby’s Run, named after Robert F. Kennedy, a friend of Tom Corcoran. The course, designed by Nick Preston and his son Wesley, along with the Waterville Valley snow operations crew, promises a challenging and exciting experience for competitors. Measuring 242 meters in length with an average pitch of 28 degrees and 68 turns, it concludes at the Sunnyside Timberlodge.
This World Cup event not only celebrates the legacy of Waterville Valley in freestyle skiing but also marks a new era, showcasing the resort's readiness to host top-level international competitions. As the birthplace of freestyle skiing, Waterville Valley now steps onto the global stage, ready to welcome the world's best mogul skiers.
And there’s plenty of reason to get excited for this upcoming World Cup event, with top-notch course and world’s best moguls skiers ready to give all their have in their tanks for what shapes up as a highly entertaining event.
One of the most compelling storylines at the Waterville moguls event involves Australian mogul skiing star Jakara Anthony. She stands on the verge of clinching her fourth World Cup title during Friday's singles event. Holding a substantial 210-point lead over Jaelin Kauf (USA), Anthony only needs to finish higher than Kauf and not more than one rank below Yanagimoto, the third in the moguls standings, especially if all three make it to the podium on Friday.
Another highlight is the journey of Mikael Kingsbury. With 85 career wins, he is just one victory away from tying the legendary record of Ingemar Stenmark (SWE), potentially becoming the most victorious man in the history of all Olympic disciplines at FIS. Given that Kingsbury has two opportunities to achieve this feat in Waterville, the anticipation for a historic moment is high.
From other news, Avital Carroll (AUT) makes a welcome return to competition following an ankle injury sustained at the season's first World Cup stop in Ruka (FIN). The return of the double World Championships medalist is eagerly anticipated. Additionally, the US moguls team is looking forward to performing on home soil, especially the women's team, which showed impressive progress and aerial skills in Canada.
The competition in Waterville will commence on Friday, with women's qualifications starting at 9:10 EST, followed by the men at 11:15, and the finals are slated for 14:00. Saturday's events will begin with preliminary rounds at 10:35, leading up to the finals once again scheduled for 14:00. This weekend at Waterville promises not only top-tier mogul skiing but also potentially historic moments in the sport.
WATCH LIVE
Live streaming from FINALS will also be accessible on our YouTube channel - MOGULS & DUAL MOGULS.
Please note that due to broadcasting rights restrictions, live streaming availability may be limited in certain regions. However, the livestream is accessible in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore, and South Korea.
Quick links:
Waterville World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
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