Canadian freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury, the current Olympic silver medalist, revealed that he is nearing full recovery from a left groin injury as he readies himself for the World Cup moguls event in Val St-Côme, Quebec. Kingsbury, who had to withdraw from the men’s small final at the season opener in Ruka, Finland, in early December, initially sustained the injury during training four months ago.
Despite not being at 100% health yet, Kingsbury expressed satisfaction with his progress during a media briefing with reporters. He emphasized the importance of making wise decisions as his primary focus remains on the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina.
With an impressive record of 99 World Cup victories, Kingsbury will compete in the single moguls event on Friday and assess his condition before committing to the dual moguls competition on Saturday. The 33-year-old athlete has a history of success at the challenging Val St-Côme course, where he secured wins in both singles and dual moguls last February, extending his record to 96 World Cup victories.
Expressing his excitement for competing in front of friends and family, Kingsbury highlighted Val St-Côme as a familiar training ground for him between races. He emphasized his extensive experience on the course under various conditions, which he believes will be advantageous for him during the upcoming competition.
Reflecting on his journey towards achieving 100 career victories, Kingsbury acknowledged that the milestone seemed realistic three years ago, and he is now on the brink of reaching that goal. Despite facing setbacks like the recent groin injury, Kingsbury remains motivated and focused on his training regimen, aiming to maintain his competitive edge.
In his recovery process, Kingsbury has employed various treatments, including ice therapy, heat therapy, physiotherapy, laser therapy, and red light therapy. He highlighted the positive progress in recent weeks and expressed optimism about his gradual improvement.
As the Winter Olympics draw near, Kingsbury understands the significance of being a role model for young aspiring athletes. He emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation and shared his eagerness to deliver a remarkable performance at Val St-Côme while keeping his childhood dreams alive.
The next World Cup event following Val St-Côme is scheduled for January 15-16 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, after being relocated from Deer Valley Resort in Utah due to early-season weather challenges. Kingsbury looks forward to the upcoming competitions with enthusiasm and determination as he continues his pursuit of excellence in freestyle skiing.