In one of the most anticipated finals in Olympic freestyle skiing, American Liz Lemley upset Australia's Jakara Anthony to take Olympic gold in women's moguls. Jaelin Kauf (USA) claimed silver, matching her silver medal in Beijing four years ago. This is the first U.S. 1-2 finish in a women's freestyle skiing event in Olympic history.
Lemley is known for her dynamic turns, having bested Anthony on turn scores in the past. The 20-year-old's technique and smooth navigation of the course propelled her to a massive score of 82.30.
“It hasn't quite hit yet, but I'm sure it will," Lemley said. "I'm already so happy and so proud of myself. There were no expectations, but I certainly wanted to win. I certainly came in just preparing myself to be in that mindset to win."
With a 2nd-place finish in Waterville Valley and a fourth-place spot on the World Cup rankings, the youngster has had one of the most exciting rises in the sport this season. A first-time Olympian and the youngest member of the American moguls team, Lemley showed nerves of steel as she finished less than a point behind Anthony in the first round of qualification. Lemley didn't let a fourth-place finish in the final dim her spirit as she completed the race of her career when it mattered most.
"My teammates are my family, and I couldn't have done any of this without them," Lemley told NBC. "They're the best. I love [Jaelin], and to share it is so special to me."
Four years ago, Anthony dominated this event, besting Laffont in the first round of qualification by over two points before sweeping all three rounds in the final to claim Australia's first Olympic gold in women's moguls.
It looked as if this time around would be no different as the Aussie dominated both the first round of qualification and the final, taking the lead in the latter by over three points. With Lemley riding Anthony's coattails in previous rounds, the world held its breath as the Aussie took to the slopes to see who would blink first.
It was Anthony who caved, slipping early on in her run after losing control of her speed. A slight halt on the course and half a dispirited run later, she placed eighth overall in the final standings.
Kauf is the first moguls skier to go through the second qualifying round before making it on the podium.
The 29-year-old overcame a stumble that left her in 24th place in the first round of qualification, forcing her to re-evaluate ahead of Wednesday's final. She finished second in the second round of qualification before flying to second behind Anthony in the final.
"After yesterday, it was just a different game plan having to come from the back today and do that second qualifying run," Kauf told NBC. "Trying to spin it and be positive about it and warm up for the finals today with the competition run, it worked out."
Kauf is no stranger to the podium. She once joined her mother, Patti, on the podium when she won a medal in ski cross at the X Games. Both her mother and her father, Scott, competed professionally in moguls, winning seven titles on the ProMogul Tour between the two of them.
PyeongChang Olympic gold medalist Perrine Laffont (FRA), who just missed the podium in Beijing, took bronze with 78 points. The Frenchwoman, who is known for her speed, took time off from the World Cup circuit ahead of competing in these Games.
"Two months ago, I was injured," Laffont said. "I didn’t ski in World Cups. I had a lot of pressure today but it’s proof that I can ski under pressure and get another Olympic medal. I’m super happy."
Olivia Giaccio finished just outside the top eight moving into the superfinal after a slight stumble while navigating the bumps on the course. Given that turns make up 60 percent of the final score in moguls, Giaccio was deducted critical points that left her just outside a chance to compete for gold.
Giaccio has been on a fast track since her return from an injury she sustained last season. She's placed on three of four World Cup podiums in moguls this season, putting her in third in the World Cup standings. Her fluid navigation of the bumps on course was on display during her qualification run, and that ability served her well in the final.
Teammate Tess Johnson also narrowly missed a chance to compete in the superfinal, finishing just .3 points behind Giaccio. She is one of the few women performing the backflip with a venom grab, which involves grabbing the inside edges of both skis at the same time.
Once the youngest member to join the U.S. Ski Team at 14 years old, Johnson overcame spinal cord surgery for a chance to compete on the Olympic stage after not competing in Beijing. The 25-year-old made two World Cup podiums this season, one of which was a win, and sits in second behind Anthony in the FIS World Cup rankings.
Women's moguls medalists
🥇Liz Lemley (USA)
🥈Jaelin Kauf (USA)
🥉Perrine Laffont (FRA)
Moguls continues with the men's event on Thursday, Feb. 12.