Laffont scores on 100th World Cup start, Kingsbury reigns again in Waterville
Jan 25, 2025·Freestyle)
Perrine Laffont (FRA) found the perfect way to toast to her 100th World Cup, winning for the second time in as many days for back-to-back victories at Waterville Valley.
This time, she was successful in the Dual Moguls event, taking a 20-15 edge over Jaelin Kauf (USA) in the big final.
The weekend was the stuff of fairytales for the Frenchwoman, who already took the podium’s top position a day earlier in the individual event.
“It’s just crazy, I’m super happy,” said Laffont. “It was hard to get up this morning and just push myself all the way.
“The superfinal was intense. With Jaelin, it’s always so fast. I think we touched in the top air, which was distracting."
While the women’s big final promised to be a fast one, neither Laffont nor Kauf sacrificed style as both went for a cork 7 off the top air.
For Kauf, a second straight top-two showing is proof of how much of a contender she is in the Dual Moguls.
Yuliya Galysheva (KAZ) got her first podium of the season when she finished third, beating Maia Schwinghammer (CAN) 26-9 in the small final.
Kingsbury picks up 94th World Cup win
In the men’s Dual Moguls, Waterville also provided twice the joy for Mikael Kingsbury (CAN), even if the 245 metres course made for a big physical test.
The Canadian won the battle between two new fathers, with a 21-14 advantage over Matt Graham (AUS) in the men’s big final. Two wins at the Waterville stop means the Moguls superstar is now on 94 World Cup victories.
“Great weekend,” said Kingsbury. “I’m very happy with my skiing. We were getting in the shade so it wasn’t the best visibility. But we pushed hard.
“It’s great to be in the final against Matty. We basically started World Cups at the same time. We’re great buddies, both dads, we push to 100 percent of our limits.”
Filip Gravenfors (SWE) was another consistent Dual Moguls competitor on the Lower Bobby’s Course, beating Ikuma Horishima (JPN) to third place with a 22-13 result.
The Moguls World Cup circuit next moves across the border to Val St. Come in Canada where it will take place from 31 January-1 February.
QUICK LINKS
Waterville World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)
Photos: Moguls
)
