Anthony and Horishima with top spots in singles at Bakuriani
Dec 22, 2023·Freestyle
The moguls FIS Freestyle World Cup event in Bakuriani, marking the last stop of a thrilling December, unfolded with a series of remarkable performances, creating an unforgettable day in the winter sports arena. Hosted at the esteemed Kokhta moguls venue in Georgia, this event builds upon the success of last year's FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard, and Freeski World Championships, continuing the legacy of high-caliber competition.
The event kicked off with the women’s and men’s qualifications in the morning, displaying a vast array of talent from across the globe. This was followed by the finals of the penultimate event of 2023, which, despite favorable weather during the qualifications, saw a challenging twist with light snowfall and a bit of wind, adding an extra layer of complexity to the competition.
In the women's category, Australia's Jakara Anthony continued her impressive winning streak. Her commanding victory in Bakuriani marked her fifth win in six events this season, a clear demonstration of her exceptional skills and consistency. This win further cements her position at the top of the World Cup rankings, boasting a perfect score of 400 points from four single moguls events this season.
Japan's Rino Yanagimoto delivered yet another remarkable performance, clinching second place and recording her third top-3 finish of the season.
The US team, maintaining their streak of top-3 finishes in women’s competitions, celebrated a significant achievement with Hannah Soar securing her first podium finish of the season in third place.
The men's competition was equally enthralling. Japan's Ikuma Horishima showcased his outstanding skills and technical mastery, particularly with a flawless cork 1080 on his last jump, which clinched him the top spot.
Sweden's Filip Gravenfors turned in a stellar performance, achieving his best result of the season with a well-deserved second place. This finish also marked his second top-3 finish in the 2023/24 campaign.
Canadian mogul skiing star Mikael Kingsbury, although leading in qualifications and the first round of finals, faced a slight setback in the big final. His attempt to nail a 1080 on the bottom air didn't go as planned, but he still managed a commendable performance, securing third place and marking his sixth top-3 finish of the season.
With an exhilarating first day concluded, the focus now shifts to the final competition of December, set to take place tomorrow with an exciting dual moguls format. The preliminary rounds are scheduled for 11:00, with finals expected to commence at 13:30 local time, promising another day of high-stakes, thrilling competition.
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Quick links:
Bakuriani World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
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