PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 6, 2016) – World Cup rookie Jaelin Kauf (Steamboat, CO) finished out the week at the Visa Freestyle International with her first career World Cup podium, taking third in the dual moguls competition. Teammate Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO), who dualed against Kauf for the podium spot, posted her best finish of the week in fourth.
Kauf, who was the top U.S. women’s finisher in Thursday’s moguls competition, tackled the Champion mogul course six times against six different competitors, skiing clean, fast runs to land herself on the podium.
“After finishing my run in the moguls competition and qualifying for finals first, I knew it was good enough,” said Kauf. “I just had to stand up and ski my run. It was an amazing weekend. This is probably my favorite course I’ve ever skied. All my family was here too, so it was just an awesome experience.”
Mikaela Matthews and Jaelin Kauf dual in the small final of the Visa Freestyle International.
Canada’s Justine Dufour-LaPointe captured her second win of the week, with Yulia Galysheva of Kazakstan in second. The U.S. women’s team had strong performances overall, with Matthews, Nessa Dziemian (East Hampstead, NH) and Ali Kariotis (Tiburon, CA) all advancing to the round of 16.
“Jaelin was once again very well prepared tonight,” stated coach Lance Field. “She’s young, talented and brings a very high level of athleticism and speed. She’s able to execute and she has a great future ahead of her. Mikaela had another great night tonight as well. We’ve got a strong girls team, so we’ll be looking to see some more strong performances in the next few events.”
Kauf celebrates her podium with her family in the finish. (Steve Earl Photography)
Anthony Benna of France took home the win for the men, followed by Finland’s Jimi Salonen in second and Kazakstan’s Dmitriy Reiherd in third. Thomas Rowley (Long Beach, NY) was the top U.S. finisher in seventh, followed by Troy Murphy (Bethel, ME) in 14th and Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY) in 16th.
Saturday night’s dual moguls competition was the final event of the Visa Freestyle International, which acted as the second test event for the FIS Freestyle, Snowboarding and Freeskiing World Championships, which will return to Park City in 2019.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Jaelin Kauf earned her first World Cup podium, finishing third in the dual moguls competition.
- Kauf was also the top U.S. women’s finisher in the moguls competition.
- Teammate Mikaela Matthews finished just off the podium in fourth.
- Nessa Dziemian was 12th, Ali Kariotis 14th, Keaton McCargo 17th, Sophia Schwartz 21st, Heidi Kloser 25th, Tess Johnson 33rd and Olivia Giaccio 35th.
- Tom Rowley was the top U.S. men’s finisher in sixth.
- Troy Murphy was 14th, Dylan Walczyk 16th, Jeremy Cota 20th, Bryon Wilson 25th, Bruce Perry Jr. 27th, Joe Discoe 33rd and Troy Tully 45th.
- The dual moguls competition was the final event of the Visa Freestyle International, which was a test event for the 2019 World Championships.
QUOTES
Jaelin Kauf
After finishing my run in the moguls competition and qualifying for finals first, I knew it was good enough. I just had to stand up and ski my run. It was an amazing weekend. This is probably my favorite course I’ve ever skied. All my family was here too, so it was just an awesome experience.
Lance Field, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Moguls Coach
Jaelin was once again very well prepared tonight. She’s young, talented and brings a very high level of athleticism and speed. She’s able to execute and she has a great future ahead of her. Mikaela had another great night tonight as well. We’ve got a strong girls team, so we’ll be looking to see some more strong performances in the next few events.
RESULTS
Men’s Dual Moguls
Women’s Dual Moguls
