Elizabeth Lemley achieved a remarkable milestone alongside friends and family following the women’s freestyle skiing moguls qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, on Tuesday, February 10. Lemley, representing the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, excelled in the individual qualifier, ranking second overall with a score of 80.95, just behind defending champion Jakara Anthony, who scored 81.65. Lemley’s performance marked a personal best, showcasing her skills with the highest turn score in the competition.
Lemley expressed her excitement about her Olympic debut, noting a significant reduction in pressure during the qualifiers compared to the qualification period. “I think it’s the best one I’ve had in my career ever,” she remarked, highlighting her journey as a double Youth Olympics gold medalist. Meanwhile, teammate Olivia Giaccio secured third place with a score of 80.74, ensuring all three Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athletes advanced to the finals.
Tess Johnson, another Vail alumna and a two-time Olympian, also made her mark, finishing ninth with a score of 73.79. Johnson, who previously finished 12th in the Pyeongchang Olympics, expressed her satisfaction with her performance and her confidence heading into the finals, resting on her success at a recent World Cup test event. “I have a lot more though,” said Johnson, emphasizing her desire to improve in the upcoming rounds.
In contrast, Jaelin Kauf, the silver medalist from the Beijing Games and a three-time World Cup champion, faced a setback, finishing 27th after losing control following her first jump. She remains optimistic about her chances, stating that another qualifier will provide her an opportunity to improve her performance.
The competition was fierce, with the experienced French Olympian Perrine Laffont securing the fourth position, reflecting on her performance and the potential for improvement.
In the men’s category, Breckenridge’s Dylan Walczyk advanced to the finals, placing seventh, and was joined by teammate Nick Page in qualifying. Despite feeling the pressure, both Walczyk and Page expressed confidence in their ability to build on their performances in the finals.
As the event progresses, the excitement builds for the upcoming finals, which will include more depth with athletes from the second round of qualifications. The introduction of dual moguls competition later in the week promises to add to the thrill of the 2026 Winter Olympics, making history as a new format. The steadfast commitment and enthusiasm of these athletes inspire hope for an exhilarating showcase of talent and determination on the international stage.