Team USA delivered a dazzling performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, as Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf soared to the top of the women’s freestyle skiing moguls podium, capturing gold and silver in a result that’s already being called historic. The American duo’s one-two finish on February 11 electrified the crowd at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park and signaled a new era for U.S. freestyle skiing.
Elizabeth Lemley, a 20-year-old from Vail, Colorado, made her Olympic debut in spectacular fashion. Calm and composed, Lemley executed a near-flawless final run, scoring 82.30 and clinching gold. As the youngest member of the U.S. moguls team, Lemley’s poise was remarkable. She’s no stranger to high-stakes competition, having won two Youth Olympic Games golds in duals moguls and team duals moguls, as well as her first World Cup race at age 16. But this was the big stage, and she didn’t blink.
"I just wanted this coming in. I’ve prepared myself to be in the mindset to win. But it’s just awesome to do it," Lemley said, still processing her achievement. Her calm demeanor in the gate and enjoyment of the moment have become her trademarks. "To be honest, I just love skiing. I enjoy myself in the gate. I love competing. I enjoy showcasing my skill and that’s what this is all about." According to her supporters, Lemley is known as the "silent assassin"—quiet but deadly on the slopes. Jim Keenan, father of Lemley’s friend and former teammate Ava, described her focus: "She doesn’t say much, but she’s a silent assassin. In her head, she knows what she’s doing."
Lemley’s gold-medal run, which featured her signature aerial trick "The Slime"—a move she picked up from British skier Mateo Jeannesson—lasted just 25.81 seconds but left an indelible mark. After crossing the finish line, she threw a fist pump and waited for the judges’ scores, not daring to guess the outcome. When the numbers flashed, the celebration began.
Jaelin Kauf, competing in her third Olympics, added another chapter to her storied career by taking silver with a score of 80.77. It’s her second consecutive Olympic silver in moguls, following her podium finish at the 2022 Beijing Games. But this medal came after a dramatic turnaround—Kauf struggled in the qualifiers, finishing 27th out of 30 in the first round after an uncharacteristic mistake. "Just didn’t ski at all how I wanted to ski," Kauf admitted. Yet, she rallied in the second round of qualifiers, posting a 77.18 to advance to the finals and ultimately deliver when it counted most.
"It was a bit unexpected yesterday and it didn’t necessarily leave me great about the day ... but ... I know I am a strong competitor," Kauf reflected on her rocky start. She credited her family—both her mother and father were freestyle skiing champions in the 1980s and ’90s—and her boyfriend for helping her regain confidence. With her trademark determination, Kauf told herself that having to qualify for finals was actually an advantage, giving her the chance to build intensity and energy. The strategy paid off handsomely.
At the bottom of the hill, Kauf was greeted by a raucous group of family and friends, many waving homemade "J" signs and decked out in red, white, and blue. For Kauf, the presence of her family in Italy was extra special. In Beijing four years ago, COVID-19 restrictions meant they had to cheer from afar. This time, her mother Patti Sherman-Kauf, father Scott, and brother Skyler were all on hand, joined by about 30 supporters from her hometown of Alta, Wyoming. "Freestyle is a big family," Sherman-Kauf said, embracing her daughter before she joined her teammates at the top of the slope.
"It’s really cool to have another Olympic medal, to take silver home again," Kauf said, her second-place hardware destined to join the first on her wall at home. "But, I mean, today I was really just trying to ski for myself today. This is the cherry on top. I’m so proud of Liz. It speaks volumes of our team and what our team is capable of, to have us go 1-2 on the Olympic stage."
The American sweep at the top was made possible in part by a surprise upset. Defending Olympic champion Jakara Anthony of Australia, who entered the finals as the favorite, faltered with a mistake in the middle of her run and ended up eighth. France’s Perrine Laffont, the 2018 Olympic gold medalist, seized the opportunity to claim bronze with a score of 78.00. The final standings left no doubt: Team USA had dominated the event.
Olivia Giaccio and Tess Johnson, the other Americans in the field, finished ninth and tenth in the first final, narrowly missing out on the second final but still contributing to a strong team showing. Lemley acknowledged the significance of sharing the Olympic experience with her teammates. "They’re amazing. They’re my sisters. They’re my family. I wouldn’t be here without them," she said.
The judging in moguls is notoriously tough, with scores based on turn techniques, speed, aerial tricks, and the clean lines carved in the snow. Both Lemley and Kauf demonstrated mastery in every category, earning their places atop the Olympic podium. Their performances not only showcased technical brilliance but also the mental fortitude required to thrive under pressure.
This year’s Olympics also introduced dual moguls as a new medal event, giving Kauf and Lemley another shot at glory. The dual moguls competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, at 3:45 a.m. MT, and anticipation is already high. Lemley’s father, who missed her gold-medal run, will be in Livigno for the duals, hoping to witness another chapter in his daughter’s meteoric rise.
For now, though, Team USA’s celebration is well-deserved. The "Star Spangled Banner" rang out in the Italian Alps for the first time at these Games, a fitting soundtrack for an American sweep. The atmosphere at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park was electric, with family, friends, and fans from around the world coming together to applaud the feats of these remarkable athletes. As the Olympic flame continues to burn in Milan Cortina, Lemley and Kauf have already ensured their names will be remembered long after the snow melts.
With dual moguls looming on the horizon and the momentum of a historic gold-silver finish behind them, Team USA’s freestyle skiers are poised for even more magic in the Italian Alps. Stay tuned—this story isn’t over yet.