For years, moguls skiers have been attempting to catch up with Mikael Kingsbury. It appears as though they'll have to keep chasing.
In front of a roaring home crown in Val St. Come, Canada, the 33-year-old recorded his 100th career World Cup victory, the most of any moguls skier in history. The previous record holder? Kingsbury himself.
The Canadian has dominated the sport for close to a decade, rewriting history since December 2015, when he first became the all-time World Cup wins leader just at 23 years old.
"It's unreal," Kingsbury said. "I cannot find the words to do this in front of my family and my home crowd. I kind of lost hope with my injury that it might be possible to do it at home. It's insane. What a day."
Kingsbury topped the scoring with 85.83 points after completing a clean back double full and a cork 1080. He was one of three skiers to complete a back double full in his run, joining Walter Wallberg (SWE) and Ikuma Horishima (JPN). Kingsbury's family witnessed the historic moment in the crowd, his one-year-old son, Henrik, joining him on the podium to receive his medal.
Australia's Matt Graham closely followed behind Kingsbury with 83.50 points, but it was a nail-biting scramble among the Americans for the final podium spot with 0.28 points separating three of them. Nick Page (USA) emerged as the final contender, taking up the third podium spot with 80.96 points after executing a clean 720 off grab and cork 1080. Dylan Walczyk followed in 4th, off by 0.02 points, with Charlie Mickel hot on his heels with 80.68 points. Other Americans in the finals were Landon Wendler, Asher Michel, and Dylan Marcellini, who placed 8th, 12th, and 13th, respectively.
Due to dense fog disrupting competition, the women's results were determined from qualification runs.
Jakara Anthony (AUS) claimed victory with 79.83 points after stomping down a 720 off grab and back position. Three Americans trailed her, with Tess Johnson placing 2nd with 75.85 points and Olivia Giaccio placing 3rd, 0.07 points behind her. Jaelin Kauf came in 4th at 74.61 points. Fellow Americans Elizabeth Lemley, Kasey Hogg, Kylie Kariotis, and Alli Macuga placed in the top 20.
Anthony now takes over as the new leader in the World Cup standings with 240 points. Johnson follows her with Giaccio coming in 3rd. Compatriot Graham holds the number one spot on the men's side, putting two Australians as simultaneous yellow bib holders.
Competition in Val St. Come continues with dual moguls on Saturday, January 10.