The United States delivered a historic performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf secured a stunning gold–silver finish in the women’s freestyle skiing moguls event.
The final, held in Livigno, turned into a breakthrough moment for Team USA. At just 20 years old, Lemley won gold in her Olympic debut, while experienced teammate Kauf added another silver to her Olympic career. This marked the first-ever 1–2 finish for the United States in women’s moguls in Olympic history.
Women’s Moguls Final Results – Milano Cortina 2026
| Position | Athlete | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Elizabeth Lemley | USA | 82.30 |
| Silver | Jaelin Kauf | USA | 80.77 |
| Bronze | Perrine Laffont | France | 78.00 |
Elizabeth Lemley Breakthrough Gold
Elizabeth Lemley, from Vail, Colorado, delivered a composed and technically strong final run. Her performance stood out for smooth turns, strong speed control, and clean aerial execution.
She impressed judges with:
- A clean off-axis 720 on the top jump
- High execution scores in the air section
- Smooth navigation through the mogul course
Lemley entered the Olympics as a rising talent, ranked among the top competitors on the World Cup circuit. Winning gold in her first Olympic appearance confirms her arrival as one of the sport new stars.
Jaelin Kauf Adds Another Olympic Medal
Veteran skier Jaelin Kauf once again proved her consistency on the Olympic stage. The 29-year-old clocked the fastest time in the final (25.11 seconds) and matched Lemley in turn quality.
However, a slightly lower aerial score kept her in second place.
| Performance Category | Jaelin Kauf |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 80.77 |
| Time | 25.11 seconds (Fastest) |
| Olympic History | Silver – 2022 & 2026 |
Kauf entered the Games as one of the most decorated athletes in the discipline, having won multiple World Cup titles and crystal globes.
Big Upset in the Final
The event also produced a major surprise. Defending Olympic champion Jakara Anthony (Australia), one of the favorites, made an early mistake after her first jump and failed to reach the podium.
France Perrine Laffont, a former Olympic champion, delivered a steady run to secure the bronze medal.
Event Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Women’s Freestyle Skiing Moguls |
| Venue | Livigno Air Park, Italy |
| Format | Super Final (Top 8 athletes) |
| Date | February 2026 |
| Historic Note | First USA 1–2 finish in women’s moguls |
Lemley had already shown strong form in qualification, posting one of the top scores. Kauf advanced through the second qualifying round before delivering her best performance in the final.
The gold–silver finish highlights the growing depth of the American freestyle program. Lemley emergence gives the team a strong young leader for the future, while Kauf experience continues to deliver results at the highest level.
This performance is expected to boost Team USA momentum as freestyle skiing events continue at the Milano Cortina Games.
Elizabeth Lemley debut gold and Jaelin Kauf silver made it a historic day for American freestyle skiing. The result not only brought a memorable Olympic moment but also signaled a strong future for the United States in moguls on the world stage.
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