Mikael Kingsbury won his first career men's moguls crown at a World Cup freestyle skiing competition Tuesdayin China to lead a four-medal performance by the Canadian team. The 18-year-old from Deux-Montagnes, Que., was joined on the podium by veteran teammate Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau of Drummondville, Que., who finished third.
In the women's event, former Olympic champion Jenn Heil of Spuce Grove, Alta., was second while Kristi Richards of Summerland, B.C., won a bronze medal. Kingsbury earned the gold with a score of 25.60 while Rousseau recorded 24.05 points. France's Guilbaut Colas was second at 24.15.
American Olympic champion Hannah Kearney won the women's event with 25.34 followed by the Heil at 25.26 and Richards at 23.83. Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City was fourth. Kingsbury, who won a silver medal earlier this month in Finland, qualified in first position earlier in the day.
"Before my [final] run, I was listening to the scores from the other competitors and I knew I was in a position to win if I just put down the run I did in training," he said in a release. "I did a clean run with a back full and a cork 720. I wasn't the fastest guy, but I didn't make any mistakes."
Rousseau, 31, is pleased with how his season is going.
"I thought last year at the Olympics was the pinnacle for me, but I'm still in great shape and I'm still improving," he said.
The veteran says his young teammate has everything a moguls skier needs: jumps, speed and the right mindset.
"He proved it today and now I can leave the national team this year with the knowledge that it's in good shape for years to come," said Rousseau, who has announced he will retire after February's world championships in Deer Valley, Utah.
Eddie Hicks of Langley, B.C., was eighth while Cedric Rochon of St-Sauveur, Que., was 15th. Olympic champion Alexandre Bilodeau of Rosemere, Que., was a disappointing 17th after catching an edge and falling in the qualification round.
Heil, who now lives in Montreal, was buoyed by her result, especially after making an error. "I made a small mistake in the middle section that cost me, but I definitely laid the foundation for my confidence and my skiing to be at its maximum after Christmas," she said. Chelsea Henitiuk of Whistler, B.C., was eighth while Montreal's Maxime Dufour-Lapointe was 13th.