LIVIGNO – Canadian moguls star Mikael Kingsbury breezed by means of qualifying Tuesday on the Milan Cortina Olympics, promising there may be extra to return.
World champion Ikuma Horishima of Japan topped the 30-man freestyle snowboarding qualifying area with a rating of 85.42 at Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park. Quebec Metropolis’s Julien Viel was second at 79.56 with Kingsbury third at 79.11 whereas Elliot Vaillancourt of Drummondville, Que., was sixteenth at 73.48.
Horishima skied instantly after Kingsbury, knocking the Canadian out of prime spot. Kingsbury was unfazed and unimpressed.
“Ikuma does his issues,” Kingsbury stated in French. “He raced like a closing in the present day, however the Olympic Video games gained’t be gained in the present day. He does what he desires, however I just like the situation that’s build up.”
The 33-year-old from Deux-Montaignes, Que., completed runner-up to Horishima within the moguls on the March 2025 check occasion at Livigno. The Canadian gained the twin moguls the subsequent day, with Horishima second.
The highest 10 progress on to Ultimate 1 on the video games. The remaining get a second likelihood through a second spherical of qualifying, with 10 extra advancing. The highest eight rivals after Ultimate 1 then go after the medals in Ultimate 2.
The lads’s qualifying Tuesday was adopted by the ladies, whose second spherical of qualifying and closing goes Wednesday adopted by the lads Thursday.
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Competing in his fourth Olympics, Kingsbury is wanting so as to add to his present medal haul of 1 gold, from Pyeongchang in 2018, and two silver, from Sochi in 2014 and Beijing in 2022.
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“Mission completed,” stated Kingsbury. “Not my greatest however we’re by means of … The nice half is I can go quicker. I can enhance my snowboarding and I can improve my two jumps.”
Kingsbury confirmed his steely aspect Tuesday when requested about Horishima’s rating.
“We’ll see on the finish the way it works,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Viel, in the meantime, thought the Japanese skier appeared nervous.
“I feel he needed to be first out of qualifying,” he added
Kingsbury’s pre-Olympic preparations had been dealt with with care because of a groin harm sustained in coaching in the course of the summer time. However he gained on residence snow in Val St-Come, Que., in January to document his one hundredth FIS World Cup victory.
Viel beat Horishima within the twin moguls closing at Val St-Come for his first World Cup win. Kingsbury didn’t participate within the twin moguls.
Viel was glad along with his run Tuesday but additionally noticed room for enchancment. The 24-year-old, who simply missed out on making the Beijing staff 4 years in the past, admitted to some nerves.
“Not in the course of the coaching, not on the prime of the course, however this morning a bit bit within the bus coming right here,” he stated. “The vitality was happening however as soon as I received on my skis, it was good.”
Vaillancourt, one other first-time Olympian, was the primary man down the course so needed to wait within the begin gate whereas officers ensured the whole lot was accurately.
“I’ve extra to supply however I’m fairly pleased with what I did,” stated the 26-year-old.
Kingsbury, competing with 18-month-old son Henrik in tow this time, says he simply desires to only have enjoyable on the hill in Italy.
“I’ve gained the Olympics. I’ll be Olympic champion for the remainder of my life,” he stated earlier than the video games. “Proper now I’ve simply received to take a look at it like I’ve the chance to do it once more.”
His trophy cupboard is already full. Kingsbury, the primary male moguls skier to earn three Olympic medals, is a nine-time world champion and has gained 29 Crystal Globes.
He will get two possibilities on the podium in Italy with twin moguls making its debut within the Olympic program. Twin moguls sees athletes compete head-to-head on parallel programs in a bracket-style format.
In moguls, rivals race down a steep, closely mogulled course that includes two jumps. Every run is judged on three components: technical turns (price 60 per cent), aerial manoeuvres (20 per cent) and velocity (20 per cent).
Kingsbury gave the Olympic course a thumbs-up, savouring its diploma of issue. The course is 245 metres lengthy with a 28-degree gradient.
“It’s enjoyable as a result of it’s not that straightforward. It’s not too simple. When it’s too simple, it brings all the sphere collectively,” he defined. “I really feel when it’s tough, should you’re on prime of your (sport), you’ll be able to create gaps on different folks.”
Added Viel: “The course is lengthy, powerful and good for a technical skier like me.”
Canada has 11 moguls medals up to now on the Olympics (six gold and 5 silver).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 10, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
