American Women Sweep Podium In Dual Moguls
The U.S. women's moguls team has claimed yet another victory following an excellent performance at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
At the Nanto-Toyota World Cup in Japan this past weekend, decorated mogul skier Jaelin Kauf took another win in the Dual Moguls category. It was something of a serendipitous moment for Kauf, who's first-ever World Cup win also took place in Dual Moguls in Japan, nearly 10 years ago.
Kauf was joined on the podium by teammates Olivia Giaccio and Tess Johnson for a full American sweep at the event. Kauf beat out Giaccio, 20-15, landing Giaccio in the second-place spot on the podium. After beating France's Perrine Laffont 19-16, Johnson stood in the third-place spot.
The event marked the second time this season that the U.S. female moguls skiers have swept the podium. The first instance took place at Val St Côme in January, with Elizabeth Lemley taking second. Lemley and Kauf also took silver and bronze together in the Olympic debut of Dual Moguls in Milan-Cortina, making Kauf the most decorated mogul skier in U.S. Olympic history.
Giaccio also won in the individual moguls event days before, finishing ahead of Hinako Tomitaka and Perrine Laffont. It was Giaccio's first World Cup win of the season, and put her in an overall first-place standing in the moguls discipline.
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The snow conditions were reportedly rather soft and difficult during the event at Taira Ski Area, making Kauf's run "not her cleanest," according to FIS's press release. However, Kauf clearly hung on, which worked to her advantage.
Kauf, Giaccio, Johnson, and Lemley currently hold the top four spots in the season's World Cup Dual Moguls standings with one event left in the 2025/26 season. The final event of the season will take place in Shahdag, Azerbaijan, from March 14-15, 2026.