URGENT UPDATE: The U.S. women’s mogul skiing team made history on January 14, 2024, sweeping the top-four spots in the dual moguls competition at the World Cup in Val St. Come, Canada. This stunning performance signals a strong Olympic bid as Jaelin Kauf clinched first place, defeating Liz Lemley with a score of 23-12 in the final round.
“I was definitely going for the yellow bib, for the win today,” Kauf stated after her victory. “It made it all that much better having all these girls up there and sweeping the top-four together — it’s pretty insane.” This achievement not only highlights the depth of talent within the U.S. team but also propels Lemley into the Olympic spotlight following her comeback from an ACL injury that cut her last season short.
Lemley, who celebrated her first podium finish since 2024, expressed her excitement: “I like mogul skiing and I’m happy to be here.” Meanwhile, Tess Johnson rounded out the podium after defeating Olivia Giaccio in the small final, marking a momentous occasion for the American women.
“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 on the podium in three of the four World Cups this season, including a win in the season opener and a runner-up finish just before this event.
This historic sweep is the first for the U.S. women since 2021 when they dominated the podium in Deer Valley. With Olympic qualifying heating up, the U.S. can send up to four women to the Games in Milano Cortina this February. Kauf has already secured her spot by winning the overall crystal globes last season.
As the Olympic selection process intensifies, up to two additional spots will be awarded based on athletes’ best single top-three finishes at upcoming selection events, with possible tiebreakers based on secondary results. Johnson and Kauf are the only Americans to have claimed World Cup victories during this selection period, making them frontrunners for Olympic glory.
Lemley’s performance is particularly noteworthy, as she achieved her best finish of the season with the second place, while Giaccio has reached the podium three times this season but has yet to secure a win. The final Olympic selection events are scheduled for January 15-16, 2026, in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
“It will be awesome to have the last Olympic qualifier in the U.S. and keep the ball rolling,” said Giaccio. “Everyone is really pushing it right now and definitely making the Olympic qualifying really tough for sure.” As the excitement builds, all eyes are on the U.S. team as they prepare for the Olympic stage.
