UPDATE: In a stunning display of athletic prowess, the U.S. women’s mogul team swept the podium at the dual moguls World Cup in Val St. Come, Canada, on January 13, 2024. Jaelin Kauf claimed victory, defeating Liz Lemley 23-12 in the final match, solidifying her status in the Olympic conversation.
“I was definitely going for the yellow bib, for the win today, just trying to leave it all out there,” Kauf said, expressing her excitement after the competition. “And it made it all that much better having all these girls up there and sweeping the top-4 together — it’s pretty insane.”
Lemley, who recently returned from an ACL injury that cut short her last season, expressed her joy, stating, “I like mogul skiing and I’m happy to be here.” This marks Lemley’s first podium finish since 2024, a significant comeback in her young career.
Tess Johnson rounded out the podium, defeating Olivia Giaccio in the small final. This impressive sweep marks the first time the U.S. women have achieved a podium sweep since 2021, when the team last dominated in Deer Valley.
“I literally haven’t been able to stop smiling all night,” Johnson exclaimed. “I’m so proud of all of us… This is incredible.” Johnson has been a formidable competitor this season, securing a podium finish in three of the four World Cups held thus far, including a win in the season opener.
The significance of this win extends beyond individual achievements; it plays a crucial role in the upcoming Olympic selection process. The U.S. can nominate up to four women for the moguls events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Kauf has already secured an automatic spot due to her outstanding performance last season, which included sweeping the moguls, dual moguls, and overall crystal globes.
As the Olympic selection heats up, Johnson and Kauf are currently the only Americans to have won a World Cup during the selection period. Johnson’s second-best result this season is second place, while Lemley’s performance on Saturday marks her best finish this season.
The U.S. Ski Team will also have the opportunity to select one athlete through discretionary selection. The qualification period for Olympic freestyle skiing concludes on January 18, 2026, with the final entry list for the Games being finalized by January 26, 2026.
“It will be awesome to have the last Olympic qualifier in the U.S. and keep the ball rolling,” Giaccio stated. “Everyone is really pushing it right now and definitely making the Olympic qualifying really tough for sure.”
As excitement builds for the Olympics, the U.S. women’s mogul team is proving they are a force to be reckoned with, setting the stage for an electrifying competition in the months to come. Fans and supporters will be eagerly following their journey as they prepare for the final selection events on January 15-16 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
