Star freestyle skier Kingsbury withdraws from moguls final at World Cup opener

Star freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury withdrew before the start of men's small final at Sunday's World Cup moguls season opener.

Kingsbury, who entered the event with 99 career World Cup victories, finished fourth in qualification but was not on the start list for the small final.

The 33-year-old from Deux-Montagnes, Que., said at a press conference before the event that he has been dealing with a groin injury.

Kingsbury is one of Canada's strongest medal hopefuls at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games as dual moguls makes its Olympic debut.

He won gold in standard moguls at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, along with silver in 2014 and 2022.

Another moguls competition was scheduled for Monday.

Saskatoon's Maïa Schwinghammer was the only Canadian to advance to either big final on Sunday, finishing fifth in the women's event.