2026 Olympic Freestyle Skiing Men's Moguls Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
The men’s freestyle skiing moguls competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina is a combination of speed and technical ability. Early qualifying rounds in Livigno have already provided a glimpse into how the medals might be decided, with athletes from Japan, Canada, Sweden, and the powerhouse Canadian team showing strong form. Before this brutal test of these athletes (and their knees), you can continue reading to find my Olympic men's moguls prediction right here.
Below are the current betting odds for the men’s moguls competition based on the latest listings available from sportsbooks:
One of the biggest stories in the lead-up to the final is the performance of Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, who topped the first qualifying round with an impressive display of technical skill and jump difficulty. Horishima’s lead over the rest of the field in that round suggests he is far from a dark horse, and he enters as a genuine medal threat thanks to his ability to blend aggressive skiing with strong aerial scores.
Canada’s Julien Viel also impressed in qualifying, finishing near the top and demonstrating the consistency that has served him well on the World Cup circuit. Alongside the seasoned veteran Mikael Kingsbury, Viel anchors a strong Canadian presence in this event. Kingsbury, the most decorated mogul skier of all time, remains a central figure in this event. Even though he did not top the qualifying charts, his experience and championship pedigree make him the man to beat.
Sweden’s Walter Wallberg, the defending Olympic champion, also made it through the initial round in a solid position. Wallberg’s performances on the biggest stage have been impressive in past Games, and while his odds are longer than some of the other contenders, he should not be dismissed. His ability to ski cleanly and efficiently gives him the potential to upset the names mentioned above if conditions on the course favor control and precision over sheer aggression.
Mikael Kingsbury: As the favorite, Kingsbury’s resume is second to none. A multiple Olympic medalist and consistently dominant force in World Cup moguls, Kingsbury represents both stability and top-tier talent. His skiing technique is polished, and he knows how to angle his runs to maximize scoring across turns, speed, and aerials. Kingsbury’s experience makes him a must-consider pick for gold.
Julien Viel: Viel is one of the primary challengers to his countryman, Kingsbury. His qualifying performance hinted at his readiness for a strong Olympic result. Viel combines clean technique with competitive jumping, and if he can blend speed with error-free execution, he could finish higher than many expect.
Ikuma Horishima: Horishima’s showing in qualifying has placed him firmly in the gold medal conversation. His confidence appears high in Livigno, and his ability to execute difficult maneuvers while maintaining rhythm and tight turns makes him capable of a podium leap if conditions align.
Pick: Mikael Kingsbury ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Backing Mikael Kingsbury is backed by both numerical probability and historical form. The odds make him the clear favorite, and they reflect his dominant presence in the sport over many seasons. Qualifying performances in Livigno have shown that the field is deep and that his challengers will push hard, but Kingsbury’s experience in finals and his familiarity with managing Olympic conditions give him an edge. I'm going with the Canadian to get the job done here in an event where Team Canada could grab both gold and silver.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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