Back-to-back wins give Kauf, Horishima perfect Deer Valley outing

Feb 09, 2025·Freestyle

Deer Valley was the stuff of dreams for Ikuma Horishima, who took wins in both Moguls and Dual Moguls.

Deer Valley continued to be a happy hunting ground for Jaelin Kauf and Ikuma Horishima, as both skiers clinched back-to-back victories at the World Cup stop.

The two overcame the deep bumps and trying conditions of the Champion Run to take wins in the Dual Moguls contest, adding to their victories two days earlier in the Moguls event.

In Kauf’s case, the feat came on her 100th World Cup start, and the American looked like a woman on a mission as she raced down the course in a yellow bib and her speedy skis.

She edged out familiar rival Perrine Laffont 22-13 en route to clinching her third Dual Moguls victory of the World Cup season so far.

Kauf was understandably ecstatic to win in front of a home crowd on such a momentous occasion.

She said: “It doesn’t get any better. This has been absolutely incredible, an absolute dream.

“I always know it’s going to be a tough one against Perrine. At the top of that one, last dual of the day, it’s been a big week. I was just telling myself to leave it all out there, to have nothing left in the tank. I definitely left it all out there.”

I was just telling myself to leave it all out there, to have nothing left in the tank.– Jaelin Kauf

The small final was an all-American contest, with Olivia Giaccio (USA) taking a 19-16 win over teammate Tess Johnson (USA).

Highlight for Horishima after rare 1440 feat

The men’s big final was similarly a duel between two top names, with Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) facing off with Ikuma Horishima (JPN) at the top of the hill.

Kingsbury was looking for redemption after missing out on the Moguls superfinal, but was not able to make up for his earlier disappointment after he uncharacteristically skied out of the line.

Horishima, never one to shy from a gutsy trick, took a convincing victory after throwing down a rare 1440.

“It’s amazing stuff for me,” said Horishima, a Crystal Globe winner last season.

“Deer Valley is always very difficult. A lot of people pushing hard here. To win here was the goal. It’s an amazing feeling, it’s one of the best competitions for me. I’m very, very happy.”

It’s an amazing feeling, it’s one of the best competitions for me.– Ikuma Horishima

Pavel Kolmakov (KAZ) also enjoyed a great outing in Deer Valley, as he edged out Jung Daeyoon (KOR) in the small final to finish third. It made for back-to-back podium finishes for the Kazakh, who was second in Moguls.

Despite a less-than-ideal outing at Deer Valley, Moguls great Kingsbury continues to lead the Cup standings.

On the women’s front, Kauf has the edge in Dual Moguls, though Laffont is still ahead overall.

The FIS Freestyle World Cup will break for a week as the circuit moves to Asia. Beidahu in China will host the next stop from 21-24 February.

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