He won the World Cup in Ruka, Finland, and it’s highly probable that this digital ink won’t have time to be inscribed on paper before “the King” has racked up further accomplishments. A real phenomenon in freestyle skiing, Mikaël Kingsbury is undoubtedly one of the headliners in this sporting event that Mont-Tremblant awaits with bated breath. We were able to get his reactions about the return of the Freestyle World Cup to Tremblant soil.

Tremblant Express: “What does the return to Tremblant of the Freestyle Skiing World Cup represent for you?”

Mikaël Kingsbury: I’m really happy about it. I must have been about seven or eight at the first World Cup I attended as a spectator, and it was in Tremblant. It’s really fun to finally participate here. I adore Tremblant and the village. It will be entirely new surroundings and a new course for us. I think that it’ll be fun and that it will draw a good crowd, as well.

T.E.: Do you have a message for the young skiers who dream of achieving your level?

M.K.: I have always loved what I was doing. The most important thing is not to become too serious too fast. I have always skied with my friends and have kept on having fun. We were a good group of friends and we challenged each other to go further. That’s what contributed to my development. Skiing with my friends in the team helped me a lot. It’s still like that. When I go skiing with my teammates, who are like my best friends, we push each other to surpass ourselves.

T.E.: “How are you feeling on the eve of your second Olympic Games?

M.K.: Going to my first Games I felt like I was accomplishing something huge. It was a crazy feeling to realize that I had finally become an Olympian. At the opening ceremonies march, when you realize it’s now you waving to the crowd and you’re not in front of the television anymore, that you are part of the show, it’s quite a feeling. It’s just as exciting today, but my approach in South Korea will be a bit different. I want to concentrate on my skiing and ski the very best I can. If I do that, I know that I’ll be putting myself in a good position to win a medal. It could be a gold medal. My chances are good if I do my job well.”