Aussie moguls skiers get the job done in Olympic qualifiers.

2-time World Cup Champion Mikaël Kingsbury has laid down an impressive opening run in qualifying, securing an 86.07 to take himself directly into the finals. Kingsbury finished ahead of Russan Aleksandr Smyshlyaev (competing under the Olympic flag) and Kazakh athlete Dmitriy Reikherd. Aussie medal hopeful Matt Graham finished the day in 9th, but was visibly disappointed with his score, for what appeared to be a strong run.

The top 10 finishers of from Qualification 1 will now head straight to finals, while the remaining competitors will be first on course when the moguls resume on February 12.

In the women’s Qualification 1 event, 19-year-old French athlete Perrine Laffont showed her class to finish the day at the top of the leaderboard, with Canada’s Andi Naude and USA’s Morgan Schild in hot pursuit. Australian Britteny Cox will head straight to finals with a 76.78 to secure 6th place.

Women’s Qualification 2 and Finals will take place on Sunday 11 February.