Laffont posts career-first in Waterville, Kingsbury takes 93rd World Cup win
Jan 24, 2025·Freestyle)
Perrine Laffont (FRA) has experienced countless highs in her illustrious Moguls career, yet still feels each win as if they were her first.
The Frenchwoman’s latest victory came on the Lower Bobby’s course at Waterville Valley, as she posted 77.43 points to finish first.
She was ahead by just a sliver – Jaelin Kauf (USA) finished closely behind with 77.39 points. While victory did not go to a home favourite, Olivia Giaccio (USA) ensured there would at least be two Americans on the podium. She took third place with a 75.52 effort.
Laffont was understandably ecstatic about her win, given it is a career-first. She did not participate in Waterville when the Moguls World Cup made its debut here last year as she was taking time off competition.
Said the 26-year-old: “I had some trouble in training, especially with the top air. It was my first time in Waterville. I didn’t know the course, or how it was going to be. It was challenging, but I like it.
“It’s nice to start the year like that. I’m just super happy.”
The win sets her up nicely for Dual Moguls on Saturday, an event that would be her 100th World Cup start.
Last-minute change pays off for Kingsbury
In the men’s competition, some quick skis and strategy lifted Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) to first place – his third win of the season and 93rd overall World Cup victory.
The Moguls star posted 84.95 points to be top of the podium. Nick Page (USA) was second with a 83.55 effort, while Benjamin Cavet (FRA)’s good form continued, scoring 74.55 points for third place.
Kingsbury, the penultimate athlete to compete in the superfinal, had initially planned a tougher run. But he pivoted just seconds before his start, after seeing that Ikuma Horishima was not able to land an attempt at a 1440 off the top air.
Said the Canadian: “It was supposed to be a double full 10, but I struggled with the top air all week. It’s not the kind of shape or jump that I usually do well in. When I saw Ikuma miss his landing, I looked at my coach and I said back full.
“I knew I was going to stomp it. After that, it’s just getting a good 10 (off the bottom air). I could’ve gone a bit faster. I guess I opened a bit of a window for Nick. He did an amazing run. I’m glad it fell on my side, but he skied amazing all day."
The Waterville Valley will host another day of competition on Saturday when the Dual Moguls event takes place. Preliminary rounds start from 10:35 local time, while finals begin at 14:00.
QUICK LINKS
Waterville World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)
Photos: Moguls
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