World’s best back in Bakuriani for Moguls World Cup
Dec 18, 2024·Freestyle
After unfavourable weather brought some unintentional halts to the moguls World Cup calendar, athletes are keen to get action going again this week in Bakuriani.
The world’s top mogul skiers return to a venue where the best was demanded of them less than two years ago. Bakuriani hosted the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, an event that remains a highlight in Georgia’s sporting history books.
With the Kokhta venue also hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival in February, fans can count on high quality courses that will deliver speedy Moguls and Dual Moguls skiing.
Schwinghammer has tools to build on hot start
In the women’s contest, Maia Schwinghammer, who was runner-up in the Dual Moguls last year, will be one to watch. The Canadian has had an eyecatching start to the season and lies in third place on the World Cup standings, behind Jakara Anthony (AUS) and Frenchwoman Perrine Laffont (FRA).
Rino Yanagimoto (JPN), who finished second in moguls last year, will also be in strong contention, as well as a deep squad from the United States.
Australia's Anthony will be sorely disappointed to have to sit out of competition in Georgia. The Australian and reigning Olympic champion would have hoped to defend her two World Cup wins here a year ago.
But the 26-year-old suffered an injury setback in Idre Fjäll, when she broke her collarbone after a crash. She underwent a successful operation in Oslo, and will be watching the Bakuriani event from home in Australia.
Kingsbury and Horishima resume rivalry
Meanwhile, for the men, Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) will be looking to make up for his third place in Moguls last season, as he continues to ride on his stellar form early in the season.
The showdown between the Canadian and Ikuma Horishima (JPN) is also set for its next act in Bakuriani, following a Dual Moguls one-two for the two rivals last year.
Competition will start on Thursday with men’s qualifications at 13:30 local time, while women’s qualifications will start at 10:35 on Friday. Finals will take place from 13:00.
On Saturday, preliminary rounds for Dual Moguls start from 09:30, while finals will start from 12:00.
WATCH LIVE
Extensive TV broadcast coverage is available for fans to follow the action, along with streaming on FIS TV. We invite you to join us live and help spread the word about the live streaming of the competition in Bakuriani available on our YouTube channel.
Here are the links and information about geo-restrictions –
Thursday, 19 December
Friday, 20 December
Saturday, 21 December
Please note that due to broadcasting rights restrictions, live streaming availability may be limited in certain regions.
However, the livestream for the finals is accessible in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore, and South Korea. For the qualifications, the livestream is available globally, with the exception of geo-restrictions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
QUICK LINKS
Bakuriani World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)
Photos: Moguls
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