USA's Lemley wins moguls gold in Olympic debut, Kauf takes silver

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Gold medalist Liz Lemley (L) of the United States, silver medalist Jaelin Kauf (C) of the United States and bronze medalist Perrine Laffont of France take a selfie on the podium after the women's freestyle skiing moguls final of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. skier Liz Lemley expertly sliced through moguls and landed big-air attempts for a gold medal in her Olympics debut Wednesday in Livigno, Italy.

Fellow American Jaelin Kauf finished second in the freestyle skiing women's moguls final at Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park, giving Team USA its best finish in the same event so far at the Winter Olympics. Kauf also placed second in the event at the 2022 edition of the Games.

"My teammates are my family, and I couldn't have done any of this without them," Lemley told NBC. "They're the best. I love Jaelin, and to share it is so special to me."

Lemley, 20, received an 82.30, just ahead of Kauf's 80.77. France's Perrine Laffont, the 2018 Olympic moguls champion, placed third at 78.00.

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Gold medalist Liz Lemley of the United States poses with her medal on the podium after the women's freestyle skiing moguls final of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Liz Lemley is as GOOD AS GOLD in her #WinterOlympics debut. pic.twitter.com/vTKIwtAsfW— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 11, 2026

Defending champion Jakara Anthony of Australia, who led the standings through qualification, lost control during her run and finished eighth.

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Silver medalist Jaelin Kauf (L), gold medalist Elizabeth Lemley (C) and bronze medalist Perrine Laffont walk to the podium after the women's freestyle skiing moguls final at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

With Lemley and Kauf's respective first- and second-place finishes, Team USA has now won three medals in freestyle skiing. Alex Hall claimed the first of those prizes with his second-place finish Tuesday in the men's slopestyle final.

The men's moguls final will be held Thursday in Livigno. The event will air at 6:15 a.m. EST on Peacock and 6:45 a.m. on USA Network. Nick Page and Dylan Walczyk are the American's who qualified for the men's moguls final.

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Silver medalist Jaelin Kauf (L) and gold medalist Liz Lemley pose after the women's freestyle skiing moguls final at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

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