Lemley, Kauf Take Gold, Silver in Olympic Moguls Competition
Liz Lemley and Jaelin Kauf skied to an incredible one-two finish in the women’s moguls final at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, marking the first time American women have taken both gold and silver in an Olympic freestyle skiing event.
At just 20 years old and in her Olympic debut, Lemley delivered a stellar performance throughout the afternoon in Livigno, working her way through the rounds. With aggressive line choices and well-executed jumps, she capped off an incredible rise on the world stage by earning Olympic gold .
“It’s pretty unreal,” said Lemley. “It definitely hasn’t quite hit me yet. It’s super euphoric and I’m just so happy… To be honest, I just love skiing and I just enjoy myself in the gate. I enjoy competing, I enjoy showcasing my skill, and that’s really what this is all about.”
Right behind her was veteran stalwart Jaelin Kauf, who skied her way to silver. Kauf, a silver medalist from the 2022 Olympics, showed her grit throughout the competition, rebounding from a challenging first qualification round to deliver a clutch performance in the final and add another Olympic medal to her decorated résumé.
"I put down runs I'm stoked with and that's all I wanted out of today. It’s extra special to land on the podium," said Kauf. "To see Liz is insane; I’m so stoked for her - to be able to share the podium with her, another U.S. athlete, is really cool."
The final was filled with intensity and drama. Defending Olympic champion Jakara Anthony of Australia, a pre-race favorite, slipped mid-run and ultimately finished eighth. France’s Perrine Laffont rounded out the medals with the bronze.
Behind Lemley and Kauf, teammates Olivia Giaccio and Tess Johnson narrowly missed the super finals, finishing at ninth and 10th — underscoring the strength and depth of the U.S. moguls program heading into the remainder of the Games.
This historic result adds to a strong showing for U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Team USA on the Olympic stage and reflects the years of commitment and progression displayed by the women’s moguls team, who has dominated the World Cup circuit over the last few seasons. The world will look for the next results in the Olympic debut of dual moguls on Feb. 14.
RESULTS
Women’s moguls
