Bakuriani continues to uphold its World Championships legacy
Dec 21, 2023·Freestyle
The Bakuriani 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard, and Freeski World Championships, a monumental event in Georgia's sporting history and a highlight of the 2022/23 season, has set the stage for the upcoming fourth moguls World Cup stop of the 2023/24 season at the esteemed Kokhta venue. This site, renowned for hosting the aerials and moguls competitions, is poised for a grand return.
December has been a whirlwind of intense and exhilarating competitions for the moguls World Cup tour, marking one of the most action-packed in recent memory. With three stops and five competitions already completed, the excitement escalates with the addition of moguls and dual moguls contests scheduled for this Friday and Saturday in Georgia, marking the official commencement of the winter season in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
The events on Friday will commence at 9:30 AM with the women’s qualifications, followed by the men’s qualifications at 11:15 AM, and culminating in the finals at 13:30 local time. Saturday follows a similar format, starting with preliminary rounds at 11:00 AM and finals once again at 13:30.
In the spotlight this weekend are current World Cup leaders Jakara Anthony (AUS) and Mikael Kingsbury (CAN), who dominate the moguls standings. Kingsbury returns to Georgia as the reigning double World Champion on the Kokhta moguls course. Meanwhile, Anthony, having experienced less success at this venue last year, is determined to redeem herself and solidify her top spot on the World Cup ranking.
In the women’s event, notable athletes include Rino Yanagimoto (JPN) and Olivia Giaccio (USA), the latter leading a strong US team with six athletes in the World Cup top-10. Special mentions go to Alli Macuga, fresh from her first World Cup podium in Alpe d’Huez, and Jaelin Kauf, who earned double silver medals at last year’s world championships.
The men’s competition features Ikuma Horishima (JPN) and Walter Wallberg (SWE), who consistently prove to be formidable contenders, currently holding second and third place in the overall moguls rankings, respectively.
Wallberg can count on support from his skilled teammates Rasmus Stegfeldt and Filip Gravenfors, both having achieved top-3 finishes this season. Additionally, Mikael Kingsbury’s team also showcases promising talent, including Louis-Davide Chalifous, Julien Viel, and Elliot Vaillancourt, the latter achieving his first podium last week in France.
Other athletes to watch include Nick Page (USA), Benjamin Cavet (FRA), Cooper Woods (AUS), and Pavel Kolmakov (KAZ) on the men’s side, as well as Hinako Tomitaka (JPN), Anastassiya Gorodko (KAZ), Haruka Nakao (JPN) or Maia Schwinghammer (CAN) over in the women’s side of things.
Both the women’s and men’s events are shaping up to be a spectacular showcase of moguls skiing. With extensive TV coverage planned for this weekend, viewers can anticipate concluding December’s thrilling series of events on a high note.
WATCH LIVE
Live streaming from FINALS will also be accessible on our YouTube channel - MOGULS & DUAL MOGULS.
Please be aware that broadcasting rights restrictions may limit live streaming availability in certain regions. The livestream is accessible in Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore, and South Korea.
Quick links:
Bakuriani World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
