Val Saint-Côme (QC), Canada – The next stop for mogul skiers on the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup circuit will be on Saturday at the Val Saint-Côme Ski Resort in Quebec. Located approximately two hours north of Montreal, Saint-Côme will host its third consecutive FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup.
In 2015, Canadian skier Mikaël Kingsbury stood at the top of the podium on the men’s side, while teammates Chloé Dufour-Lapointe and Audrey Robichaud finished second and third, respectively, for the women behind the now-retired American skier Hannah Kearney.
“It’s always fun for our team competing here, especially with so many of us being from Quebec,” said Kingsbury. “It gives an opportunity for many of our family and friends to come watch us ski. It’s also special to be in front of a hometown crowd and potentially inspire a kid in attendance or someone watching at home who might decide that they want to do this one day like us. It’s a great way for us to promote the sport across the country.”
The location also marks a homecoming for Marc-Antoine Gagnon and his sister Alex-Anne. The duo were taught to ski at Val Saint-Côme and spent numerous years competing with the club before making the provincial team.
“I started skiing at two years old on the mountains of Val Saint-Côme, so it’s always extra special for me,” said Marc-Antoine. “I know many kids from the local ski club that are very excited to see the Canadian team in action. I think we can help motivate them and inspire the next generation of skiers. I’m also really looking forward to competing in front of my family and friends once again.”
The event is free and open to the public for spectating, and will mark the World Cup debut of team rookie Gabriel Dufresne who also grew up in the area. As a kid, Dufresne decided to try out freestyle skiing after spotting the likes of Marc-Antoine Gagnon and P.O. Gagné training on mogul courses.
The 19-year-old now gets to call both of them teammates as he prepares to compete in the biggest competition of his career thus far.
“I’m very much looking forward to this event. It’s very exciting for me and my family,” said Dufresne. “This is where it all started for me. I have so many friends around town that can come watch me too now. It’s going to be special. I really like the course at Val Saint-Côme and I hope to put out a good result. I couldn’t ask for a better location to have my first World Cup start.”
A total of 19 Canadians will be competing in the event – 10 women and nine men. As hosts, Canada will receive three extra allocation spots for each gender than a country normally would.
As part of the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup in Val Saint-Côme, everyone’s invited to join a free and fun winter activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, at the base of the Vas-y-molo run. Whether you’ve got your skis or not, this is a chance to meet the athletes and coaches of the national ski team, who’ll be on hand to answer questions, sign autographs, pose for pictures and even show you how to handle moguls. The run is safe and designed for skiers of all skill levels and all ages.
Competition Schedule
FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup
Val Saint-Côme (QC), Canada – Jan. 23, 2016
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Ladies’ Qualifications
11:55 a.m. – 1:05 p.m. Men’s Qualifications
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Ladies’ Final (F1) (16)
2:40 – 3:05 p.m. Men’s Final (F1) (16)
3:10 – 3:20 p.m. Ladies’ Final (F2) (6)
3:20 – 3:30 p.m. Men’s Final (F2) (6)
3:35 – 3:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony