Chiesa in Valmalenco prepares for dual moguls season finale
Mar 15, 2024·Freestyle
After nearly four months on tour, the FIS Freestyle World Cup makes its return to Europe, setting the stage for the climactic finale of the 2023/24 moguls season this Saturday, March 16, in Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy.
Valmalenco boasts a rich history of hosting FIS competitions across all levels, from the Europa Cup to World Cup events in both freestyle skiing and snowboarding, making it a revered venue in the winter sports community.
Two years ago, Chiesa in Valmalenco welcomed back the dual moguls World Cup competition for the first time since 2008. This year, we return to the "Dosso" course at Alpe Palu for what promises to be another electrifying dual moguls showdown this upcoming weekend.
For many of the current moguls elite, Valmalenco holds a special place in their hearts, having been the battleground for numerous Junior World Championships. The venue has seen the rise of past champions such as Perrine Laffont (FRA), Benjamin Cavet (FRA), Ludvig Fjallstrom (SWE), Olivia Giaccio (USA), and Elliot Vaillancourt (CAN).
Now, the past, present, and future of mogul skiing converge in Valmalenco, ready to compete on the grandest stage. With one more event left in the 2023/24 season and numerous awards up for grabs—including dual moguls globes, overall moguls globes, Rookie of the Year awards, and the Nations Cup—this Saturday's event is shaping up to be a spectacle of excitement.
Leading the women's competition is Jakara Anthony (AUS), who, with her 13 victories this season—a record high in moguls for any skier in a single season—has already clinched the moguls hat-trick, securing all three World Cup titles in moguls, dual moguls, and overall moguls. Regardless of Saturday's outcome, she will be awarded two globes to accompany her single moguls globe from Almaty.
The standings for both the overall moguls and dual moguls are relatively settled, with Jaelin Kauf and Olivia Giaccio securing second and third places respectively. While Giaccio has a slim chance to overtake Kauf in the dual moguls rankings, the likelihood of this happening is more mathematical than practical. Kauf's stellar record in dual moguls makes it a formidable challenge for Giaccio to close the 79-point gap. Consequently, the current standings are expected to remain unchanged, reflecting the consistency and dominance of both athletes throughout the season.
The men's competition tells a different story. Mikael Kingsbury secured both the dual moguls and overall titles last weekend in Almaty and is poised to receive his 25th and 26th crystal globes on Saturday. The podium for the overall moguls is also set, with Ikuma Horishima (JPN) expected to finish second and Filip Gravenfors (SWE) in third.
However, with Horishima absent from the final competition in Italy due to minor knee issues, Rasmus Stegfled, currently third in the standings and just 51 points behind Horishima, has a chance to ascend to second place in dual moguls with a strong performance on Saturday.
Gravenfors, trailing Horishima by 64 points and sitting in fourth, is undoubtedly targeting a top-2 finish to secure a spot in the final dual moguls top-3 of the season.
Alongside these athletes, numerous others will be vying to conclude their season on a high note with one last opportunity for a strong finish.
The competition on Saturday begins at 12:00 CET with preliminary rounds, followed by the finals at 14:30.
WATCH LIVE
Live streaming from Chiesa in Valmalenco will also be accessible on our YouTube channel - Preliminary rounds / FINALS.
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, Italy, Iceland, Singapore, and South Korea.
Quick links:
Chiesa in Valmalenco World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
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