Japan set to host two World Cups this weekend

Canadian Freestyle Ski Association – Tazawako, Japan – Canadian mogul skiers are set to compete in two consecutive events this weekend in Tazawako, Japan. Back-to-back FIS World Cups will be taking place with a mogul competition on Saturday and dual moguls on Sunday.
 
Japan has been a regular stop for mogul athletes the last few years, but the inaugural event in Tazawako took place in 2015 with Mikaël Kingsbury (Deux-Montagnes, QC) dominating and skiing himself to two victories.
 
“I’m excited to be back in Japan and competing in front of such passionate fans. It’s always special coming here because we love the atmosphere and the culture,” said Kingsbury. “The event was really good to me as well and I got really good results. I’m hoping to get back on the podium this weekend. Having the last couple of weeks off was good for us to recharge and work on some little things. We’re all thrilled to be here.”
 
After three weeks off since their last World Cup in Deer Valley, Kingsbury leads the men’s team that will feature Philippe Marquis (Quebec City, QC), Simon Lemieux(Repentigny, QC), Laurent Dumais (Quebec City, QC), Brenden Kelly (Pemberton, BC) and Jordan Kober (Penticton, BC).
 
The women’s side will feature Justine Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, QC), Chloé Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, QC), Maxime Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, QC), Alex-Anne Gagnon (Terrebonne, QC), Andi Naude (Penticton, BC) and Audrey Robichaud(Quebec City, QC).
 
Marquis grabbed second in the dual moguls event behind Kingsbury in 2015 and Robichaud finished in third place in the moguls event.
 
Both Kingsbury and Justine Dufour-Lapointe are the current World Cup leaders. Justine is coming off winning consecutive events in Deer Valley to extend her points lead over her sister, Chloé, who is currently in second place.
 
“I could not have asked for more from myself in Deer Valley. I skied with such confidence and I ended up getting the results I wanted,” said Justine Dufour-Lapointe. “I’m hoping to continue that in Japan and build on the momentum. We only have one more World Cup after this weekend, so we are definitely going for it. It’s going to be a good race for the Crystal Globe and I think we are all pushing each other for it.”
 
The event starts bright and early Saturday at 8:50 am local time. A full schedule is available for download here.
 
Ladies’ moguls World Cup leaderboard
Men’s moguls World Cup leaderboard

To access athlete quotes after the Moguls and Dual Moguls events in Japan this weekend, click here:  http://www.ipadio.com/channels/Freestyle Canada/. 
 
For media who wish to access InFront news clips they will be available at 10 a.m. EST: www.news.infrontams.tv. Media who do not have the required credentials to download the clips are welcomed to contact Dominique Ladouceur at dominiqueladouceur@freestyleski.com