World Junior Dual Mogul Title For Elliot Vaillancourt
Freestyle Canada – Valmalenco, Italy, April 6, 2019 – Third time a charm for Canada’s Elliot Vaillancourt after winning the gold in the dual mogul event on Saturday at the FIS Junior World Championships in Valmalenco, Italy. The Drummondville, Quebec native had never cracked the top 10 at his first two attempts on this stage.
“It was a really good day for me and I am proud to say that I have won the event today”, admitted Vaillancourt. “It was another complicated day due to the changing weather conditions. The competition was delayed for 2 hours because we could not see the course so it was difficult to get some good training in”, he explained. “As soon as the sun came out the course softened and everyone was skiing really fast so I had to be constant and stay on my feet. It was high caliber skiing but I managed to come out on top and I am really proud of that.”
A week shy from his 20th birthday, Vaillancourt won his five races on his way to the top of the podium, defeating single moguls’ silver medallist Masahiro Kimoto of Japan in the Super Final.
Brayden Kuroda from Penticton, BC was the only other Canadian man in action on Saturday, finishing 13th.
In the women’s event, Kaylee Koehler of Quebec City placed seventh at her first participation at the World Juniors. The bronze medallist of the 2019 Canadian Championships won her first two races before coming short in the quarterfinal.
“I am satisfied with my performance here at the World Juniors. In the dual moguls today, I had a few good runs and I am happy with my weekend since I had no precise expectations other than to do my best”, said Koehler.
Chase Capicik from Squamish, BC (19th) and Jessica Linton from North Vancouver, BC (20th) were also in action, while Sandrine Vaillancourt from Drummondville, Quebec did not start in the women’s dual mogul event on Saturday.
Single mogul event on Friday
The single mogul event was being held on Friday in Valmalenco. Jessica Linton was the top Canadian girl in the mogul event, placing 10th, ahead of Koehler (12th), Capicik (14th) and Vaillancourt (16th).
On the men’s side, Elliot Vaillancourt led the Canadian effort with his fifth-place finish, ahead of Sam Cordell (20th) from West Vancouver, BC. Kuroda also took part, but did not finish the event on Friday.
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