Laffont, Kingsbury enjoy emotional wins in Ruka to start Moguls World Cup season

Nov 30, 2024·Freestyle

After months of preparation, training, and fine-tuning, athletes got their 2024/25 FIS Freestyle World Cup season off to a rousing start in Finland, with some familiar faces finishing on the podium.

Moguls royalty Perrine Laffont of France and Mikael Kingsbury got the perfect starts, finishing top in the women’s and men’s event respectively.

Laffont takes emotional win after a year out

All eyes were on Laffont in Ruka, as she made a highly anticipated return to competition after taking a year off.

The five-time World Champion did not disappoint, and looked like she never went away as she won the women’s competition. A speedy and technically superb run in the superfinal helped her clinch 81.13 points.

It was clear that this victory was an especially emotional one for Laffont, who was in tears as she struggled to describe how she felt.

“I don’t know what to say,” said the 26-year-old, who had been victorious in Ruka twice before.

“It was really hard to come back. I just want to thank my team, because without them, I wouldn’t do it alone. Thanks to them, thanks to the work that we’ve done. It’s hard to believe. This is crazy, it’s like a dream. I’m just super happy right now.”

It was really hard to come back. It’s hard to believe. This is crazy, it’s like a dream.– Perrine Laffont

Jakara Anthony, last year’s winner in Ruka, took second place. Her score of 80 points in the superfinal meant she was the only other skier in the women’s competition to breach the 80-point mark.

Said the Australian: “It’s exciting to be back in the gates. It’s been a while since we last competed. To kick off the season here is like coming home.”

Olivia Giaccio of the United States took third place for the second year in a row, finishing with 76.95 points.

Fellow American Elizabeth Lemley, who was second last year, was forced to miss Ruka after sustaining a knee injury. FIS wishes her a speedy recovery.

Kingsbury tastes victory as new dad

In the men’s competition, it was the “King of Moguls” who triumphed on the Battery Run moguls course with a 83.90-point run for his 11th win in Ruka.

With his textbook turns, Kingsbury showed just why he has won more World Cups than any other person in men’s skiing.

But while the Canadian is no stranger to victory – this was his 91st overall World Cup title – this one held special meaning as it was his first as a new father, with three-month-old Henrik also in Finland.

He said: “It’s so cool to have my family here and win in front of my kid. It’s super special, and probably among the top three (wins) in my career, just because he’s here.

“I love Ruka – it’s one of my favorites on the circuit. It’s good to get the momentum, get the yellow bib, and start the season well. I’ve been skiing well, I feel super relaxed, it’s been awesome.”

It’s super special, and probably among the top three (wins) in my career.– Mikael Kingsbury

Reigning Olympic champion Walter Wallberg of Sweden, who landed the fastest run of the day, took second place with 81.14 points.

Last season’s Crystal Globe winner Ikuma Horishima had to squeeze into the superfinal, but landed a good run when it mattered. He was third with 80.51 points, but his 1440 on a bottom air is a sign of what to expect from the Japanese for the rest of the season.

The moguls World Cup tour will move next to Idre, Sweden. Moguls and Dual Moguls are slated to take place from 6-7 December.

QUICK LINKS