Image Courtesy of Jaelin Kauf
In a stunning display, Jaelin Kauf, known as the world’s fastest moguls skier, captured another win at the World Cup dual moguls event in Val St. Come, Quebec. Skiing conditions were challenging, with temperatures dropping to minus 3 degrees during this thrilling night race.
Kauf and her fellow Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alumna, Olivia Giaccio, both advanced to the dual semifinals and faced off against each other. Their semifinal match was incredibly close, with Kauf edging out Giaccio 18-17. Giaccio ultimately finished fourth after competing against France’s Perrine Laffont in the small final.
In the big final, Kauf’s speed shone through. She pushed the limits on the moguls, forcing her opponent, 19-year-old Anastassiya Gordoko from Kazakhstan, to keep pace. Unfortunately for Gordoko, she skied out of the competition, securing Kauf’s 10th career World Cup victory.
Kauf is aiming to become the dual moguls world champion this season. Wearing the yellow bib indicates she is currently ranked number one. She earned this honor with a strong performance in Bakuriani, Georgia. Even after a second-place finish at Waterville on January 25, she retained her top ranking.
This victory has widened Kauf’s lead over Laffont to 60 points, compared to just 20 points before the weekend. Meanwhile, Giaccio sits in ninth place for dual moguls.
Both athletes also had a strong showing in the singles competition on Friday, where Kauf grabbed second place and Giaccio came in third. Kauf had the fastest final run, while Giaccio excelled in aerial points. Currently, Giaccio is ranked second in the world for singles, just 85 points behind Laffont, with Kauf holding the fourth spot.
The excitement continues as the U.S. Freestyle Skiing team gears up for the next World Cup at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah from February 6-8.
