Johnson Wins, Three on the Podium in Ruka
The moguls World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland, was filled with excitement, including Tess Johnson standing atop the podium for the third time in her career and second time in moguls. Olivia Giaccio and Nick Page finished on the podium, each in third place. This win moves Johnson into the top spot in the season standings.
Johnson was filled with emotion after the score for France’s Perrine Laffont was announced, slotting Laffont into second place.
“I worked really hard, and this just means a lot,” said Johnson. “I just love skiing, and I had so much fun out there today.”
Johnson led the women from the start, qualifying in the top spot with a perfect combination of great time, turns and air scores. Five U.S. women advanced to the finals: Liz Lemley in fourth, Kasey Hogg in seventh, Giaccio in eighth and Alli Macuga in 10th. Last year’s overall winner, Jaelin Kauf, crashed in qualification but skied away healthy. Page led the way for the U.S. men qualifying in second place.
Johnson, Giaccio, Lemley and Page finished finals in the top six, advancing to the super finals to compete for a podium position. This was Lemley’s first World Cup back after an injury took her out last season, and she continued to push throughout the day, finishing just off the podium in fourth place. Giaccio was also out at the end of last season after a crash in China, and finished third place, earning her 19th World Cup podium. Johnson, one of the most consistent skiers on the circuit, was on a roll all day long and her super finals run was one to watch. Between her unique jumps and clean turns, her result was a surprise to no one but herself, as she was overcome with emotion at the finish.
The men’s super final was filled with ups and downs as multiple men went down. Page threw down a clean run featuring a huge cork 10 on the bottom air to finish third, the ninth podium of his career.
The athletes take on the bumps in Ruka again tomorrow, Dec. 8th, for a second moguls World Cup starting at 9:30 am ET.
