Key Takeaways
- Tess Johnson led Team USA with a runner-up finish in the individual mogul World Cup in Val St. Côme, Canada.
- Jakara Anthony took the win and stole the overall leader’s yellow jersey from Johnson.
- Johnson appears to be skiing better than she ever has, with her 12th-career podium finish.
- Jaelin Kauf automatically pre-qualified for the Olympic team, while up to two more spots will be awarded based on an athlete’s best top-3 World Cup placements.
- The World Cup weekend in Val St. Côme wraps up with a dual moguls competition before the circuit travels to Waterville Valley for the final Olympic selection events.
Introduction to the World Cup Mogul Competition
The World Cup mogul competition in Val St. Côme, Canada, saw Tess Johnson lead Team USA with a runner-up finish. Johnson, a 25-year-old skier from Vail, posted a 75.85 score in the individual mogul World Cup, just behind Jakara Anthony’s winning score of 79.83. This marks Johnson’s 12th-career podium finish, and she appears to be skiing better than she ever has. With her recent performances, Johnson is on track to qualify for her second Olympic team.
Recent Performances and Olympic Qualification
Johnson’s recent performances have been impressive, with two wins in her last four starts, after waiting 61 starts for her first-career victory. She won the season-opener in Ruka on December 7 and placed fourth in the dual moguls the following day. Fresh off winning a silver medal at the world championships in Engadin last March, Johnson is looking strong for the upcoming Olympics. Jaelin Kauf, the defending individual, dual, and overall mogul globe winner, automatically pre-qualified for the Olympic team after winning the overall crystal globe last year. Up to two more spots will be awarded based on an athlete’s best top-3 World Cup placements in selection events between November 17, 2025, and January 19, 2026.
Men’s Side of the Competition
On the men’s side, Nick Page was the lone American on the podium, with Canadian Mikael Kingsbury bagging his 100th-career World Cup victory on home soil. SSCV alumnus Dylan Walczyk, who qualified for the 2022 Olympics as an independent athlete, was the second American in fourth. The men’s competition was fierce, with Kingsbury’s win marking a significant milestone in his career. The men’s team will look to build on their performances as they head into the final Olympic selection events.
Upcoming Competitions and Olympic Selection
The World Cup weekend in Val St. Côme wraps up with a dual moguls competition on Saturday, before the circuit travels to Waterville Valley for the final Olympic selection events on January 15-16. The upcoming competitions will be crucial for athletes looking to qualify for the Olympic team, with up to two more spots available based on their performances. Johnson’s second-place finish could be meaningful, should a teammate snag a win in one of the upcoming competitions, as ties will be broken using an athlete’s second-best podium result.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, the World Cup mogul competition in Val St. Côme saw impressive performances from Team USA, with Tess Johnson leading the charge. Johnson’s recent performances have been strong, and she appears to be on track to qualify for her second Olympic team. The upcoming competitions will be crucial for athletes looking to qualify, and the men’s team will look to build on their performances. With the final Olympic selection events just around the corner, the excitement is building, and fans will be eagerly watching to see who will secure a spot on the Olympic team.
