U.S. 3-4 in Dual Moguls World Cup Finals, Wins Nations Cup
Moguls wrapped their World Cup season with a last Duals under bluebird skies and in front of an excited crowd during the second day of World Cup Finals in Megève, France. Jaelin Kauf and Kai Owens finished third and fourth, respectively, after a battle for bronze in the Small Final. This marks Kauf’s 20th career World Cup podium. France’s Perrine Laffont won for the women, Australia’s Jakarta Anthony came in second.
"Today I was just focusing on my run and doing what I could, keeping to my strengths, said Kauf. "It’s been a good year. Pretty fun to end it with a few podiums and dualing it out against Kai again. Onto nationals next week to have some more fun."
Kauf, Hannah Soar, Owens and Elizebeth Lemley represented the U.S. in the Eight Final. Soar finished sixth and after a friendly-fire round between Owens and Lemley, Lemley finished fifth.
Two men, Cole McDonald and Dylan Walczyk, skied for the U.S. in the Eight Final. McDonald had trouble getting out of the gate against Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury and finished eighth. Walczyk finished fifth, Nick Page finished 13th and Brad Wilson 19th.
Kingsbury won for the men, Japan’s Ikuma Horishima finished second and Sweden’s Ludvig Fjallstrom finished third.
New this season was the distinction of Moguls and Dual Moguls as separate Globe and Nations’ Cups disciplines. The U.S. captured the Dual Moguls Nations Cup in its inaugural year. Owens finished third in the Dual Moguls standings.
“We have been through a lot this season as a team, and to come away with a collective win together is an awesome way to cap the World Cup tour,” said Head Moguls Coach Matt Gnoza. “Nations’ Cups are won by every American athlete that started in a World Cup competition and to have such a deep field of talent is promising for our future. Every athlete who contributed to this accolade can be proud of what they have accomplished personally and know it way a key factor in us winning this.”
It feels amazing [to finish third in Duals standings],” reflected Owens. “I’m feeling very fortunate and also feeling super excited for next season and what’s to come!”
Moguls competes next at Deer Valley Resort for the 2022 U.S. Freestyle Championships presented by Toyota March 25-27.
RESULTS
Women’s Dual Moguls
Men’s Dual Moguls