jsinger@parkrecord. com
After almost a month of rest for tycoons and air skiers, the Freestyle World Cup is back in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Skiers will compete in tycoons, double tycoons and aerial from Friday through Sunday.
Tycoon skiers had the initiative on Friday. Overall Cup leaders Mikael Kingsbury and Jakara Anthony won the men’s and women’s events, respectively.
Kingsbury won with a score of 84. 89 and Anthony with a score of 82. 74. Anthony further solidified his year-end name in solos, while Kingsbury missed his, completing 10 numbers by Ikuma Horishima, who finished second in Friday’s solos.
Other notable effects on Friday came from several Parkites, adding Alli Macuga, Kasey Hogg, Cole McDonald and Nick Page. All four made it to the final of their tournament, with Macuga taking second place on the women’s side.
Hogg finished eighth on the women’s side, and McDonald and Page finished 9th and 15th on the men’s side, respectively. In fact, Page is looking forward to a little more on the occasion after a fun and relaxing month away from competition.
“I feel confident in where my skis are and where my jumps are,” Page said before the weekend. “It was a great month to be home, fantastic to spend that time studying in Deer Valley. “
Page and the rest of the box will have the night off before putting their skis back on for Saturday’s matches. Page will be looking to make some recent innovations to cap off the weekend on what he says is a super fantastic course.
“The course here is really good. . . this course builder that we’ve done here does a really smart job,” Page said. “I made some small changes (during the break) . . . In fact, I was satisfied with it. “
Kingsbury and Anthony have a strong grip on their respective year-end dueling titles; however, Hirishima helps keep things tight on the male side. There will be a double tycoon cup final at Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy, on March 16, in addition to Saturday’s competition.
However, this is the last Cup of the season in the aerial arena, as these skiers competed in Lac-Beauport, Canada, on February 10 and 11. Their men’s and women’s competitions will take place on Sunday, in what Parkite and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis described as conditions.
Lillis fourth in the Cup standings, with room for improvement this weekend, while a close war will play out on the women’s side. Parkite Winter Vinecki leads Australia’s Danielle Scott with just 12 points.
Lillis is thrilled to be a part of this team, which is looking to win the combined season team title. He said they’ve been pushing each other throughout the season and are in a position to spend that relaxing weekend, sipping coffee and playing ping pong. together.
“Success builds success. . . I am pleased to be part of the team for the 2026 Games,” said Lillis. “Spending long breaks or summer seasons. . . It’s like ending the season on a high note. »
Lillis believes the strong exercise field on which the U. S. team is a good idea. The U. S. Championships were able to participate after last month’s Lac-Beauport Cup will help them excel in this Cup final. He said it had been tricky to exercise and build momentum given the different weather conditions around the country. this season.
“We did our exercise camp after Canada in Lake Placid. . . (It was) our first time there in five years,” Lillis said. “It’s been a little tricky to exercise regularly. . . inconsistent depending on the weather. . . Every time you finish the season in March, you’re dealing with pretty high temperatures. “
Temperatures in Almaty are forecast to reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. These temperatures tend to create slippery and sticky conditions, which are especially problematic for jumpers.
To follow up with the rest of the Almaty Cup, check the FIS website. The competitions will be streamed live on the Ski and Snowboard Live website: skiandsnowboard. live/.
Every donation will be used for progress and the creation of greater media coverage.