FREESTYLE:

Kingsbury, Heil, Richards soar to podium in moguls opener

Dec. 11, 2010 — Canadian Freestyle Ski Association

♦ Photos: Mikaël Kingsbury skis to second place in men's moguls; bottom, the women’s podium, from left, Hannah Kearney, Jenn Heil and Kristi Richards (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)

♦ Video courtesy Infront/FIS

RUKA, Finland — Mikaël Kingsbury of Deux-Montagnes, Que., took home his first FIS World Cup medal Saturday and Jenn Heil of Spruce Grove, Alta., along with teammate Kristi Richards from Summerland, B.C., added to the Canadian coffers with a 2-3 finish.

In men’s moguls, Kingsbury posted the best air points of the finals, which earned him the silver medal with a score of 24.89. Patrick Deneen of the U.S. was first at 25.23 and Guilbaut Colas of France was third at 24.78.

At only 18, Kingsbury, last season’s FIS Rookie of the Year, pulled off a double full at the top of the course and a cork 1080 on the bottom air. He said, “Everything went really well on the run and I didn’t make any mistakes today. I feel fast and strong in the moguls. I’m so happy; you’ve never seen a smile this big on my face. I’ve been waiting to win a World Cup medal since I was eight years old watching the World Cup at Tremblant.”

Cédric Rochon of Saint-Sauveur, Que., was the next Canadian, in fifth at 23.99. Olympic champion Alex Bilodeau finished the day in seventh spot with a score of 23.55.

On the women’s side, Jenn Heil at 24.02 was narrowly edged by 2010 Olympic champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S. at 24.09. Richards was third with 23.52.

Heil, the five-time crystal globe winner who now makes Montreal her home, said, “It’s always great to be at the first World Cup of the season and to get back into the rhythm. I had a breakthrough on my skis at a training camp earlier in the season and I could feel it today, although I wasn’t skiing at my full limit. Now it’s time to charge it up for next week’s contest in France.”

Richards was very excited to stand on the podium next to her teammate. “I was so happy to be up there with Jenn. It was just so nice to start the season with all the Canadians doing so well. It was a great feeling for all the team,”

Five Canadian women made it to the 16-women final.

Richards said she had a difficult week and had to manage the emotions of her 20th-place finish at the Vancouver Games, “It’s been an interesting time for me. There have been a lot of emotions from the Games, and I’ve had to face them and overcome them by trying to simplify things — feeling wind on my face, snow under my skis, and by being patient on my jumps.”

The other big Canadian story of the day was 16-year-old Justine Dufour-Lapointe’s amazing fifth-place finish in her first World Cup appearance.

Canadian moguls coach Darcy Downs said the three medals, and the fact that five men and five women made finals, bodes well for the rest of the season. He said, “We have awesome moguls depth in Canada that’s coming up strong and it sure makes me proud. The whole coaching team is really stoked today.”

The team next competes in Meribel, France, on Wednesday. S-Magazine

Ruka, Finland, men's World Cup moguls results

Ruka, Finland, women's World Cup moguls results