LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb 11 (Reuters) – American 20-year-old freestyle skier Elizabeth Lemley won a gold medal in the moguls on Wednesday with two fine runs to surprise the crowd in the Alpine city of Livigno at the Winter Games.
Her victory ended an attempt by Australian defending champion Jakara Anthony to achieve a second consecutive win in the skiing discipline.
Jaelin Kauf, also from the US and runner-up at Beijing 2022, won her second silver medal and Pyeongchang 2018 gold champion, France’s Perrine Laffont, won bronze.
In the first run of the final, Lemley had her skis firmly under control, always staying connected and landing well after two big jumps.
In the second run – also known as the super final – the skier increased the speed, kept her skis tightly together and showed great technique around the moguls and with a great hold on the bottom jump.
In a very high-pressure, fast-paced race, skiers raced down a slope of tightly packed snow bumps – the moguls – and via two jumps onto a short and steep technical descent that leaves little room for error.
Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Under a clear and sunny afternoon sky in the narrow valley of Livigno, skiers were judged on their control, pace and aerial skills in a discipline that requires great versatility.
(Reporting by Giulia Segreti in Livigno; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
