Lemley, Giaccio Podium at Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel at Waterville
Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Liz Lemley and Olivia Giaccio went two-three at the Intermountain Health Freestyle Cup presented by Stifel at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, stepping on the podium in front of friends and family in the last Azerbaijan FIS World Cup before the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
After persistent fog forced the cancelation of Thursday's individual moguls event, organizers pivoted quickly, converting Friday's originally planned dual moguls competition into individual moguls. The weather made an equally dramatic turn overnight, dropping from rainy, 35-degree conditions on Thursday to frigid, single-digit temperatures on Friday, accompanied by whipping winds and chalky, hard snow on the course.
The men kicked off the day with qualifying runs, with Asher Michel, Landon Wendler, Charlie Mickel and Nick Page earning spots in the finals. On the women’s side, Kylie Kariotis, Alli Macuga, Jaelin Kauf, Tess Johnson, Kasey Hogg, Giaccio and Lemley all pushed through to the next round.
In the men’s finals, Mickel and Page delivered strong performances to advance into the super final. Page ultimately finished fifth overall with Mickel sixth.
The women’s competition saw Hogg, Giaccio and Lemley rise to the occasion in the super final, with Lemley skiing to second and Giaccio securing third.
“I had a good day!” said Giaccio. “I’m very excited about my skiing and the momentum I’m building. There’s room to grow, but I’m trending in a direction that matters."
Originally slated to take place in Deer Valley, the event was rescheduled to Waterville Valley due to a lack of snow across much of the western U.S. in the early season. Waterville Valley stepped up to host on short notice, delivering a successful World Cup-caliber event despite challenging conditions.
Following the competition, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sport Director Matt Gnoza announced several athletes to the 2026 U.S. Olympic Team. 2022 Olympic silver medalist Kauf had already secured her spot following a dominant 2024-25 season, but was officially presented with her Making Team USA hat from Xfinity, alongside Johnson and Page who are heading to their second Olympics, and Lemley, earning selection to her first Olympic Games.
“I knew I was in a good position, but our team is so strong, you never know what could happen,” said Page. “I had to come in today, really put my foot on the gas, put a stamp on it and make this team. To finish it out this way was pretty special.”
“I’m feeling pretty awesome,” said Lemley. “I've dreamed of it since I was a kid, like everybody. And it feels great after a lot of work this summer. I'm just super proud of myself."
The remaining athletes named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic moguls roster will be announced on Jan. 23.
