Kauf, Horishima pass Deer Valley test for first Moguls win of season

Feb 07, 2025·Freestyle

Jaelin Kauf tasted sweet success in Moguls at home at Deer Valley.

Jaelin Kauf (USA) got a long-awaited World Cup win in Moguls, taking the top spot in Deer Valley after a gruelling contest.

The occasion was made more joyous for the American long recognised for her strength in Dual Moguls, given that her first Moguls win of the season came at home in front of a raucous crowd.

The 28-year-old was first with a massive result of 80.75, the only woman of the night to cross the 80-point mark. She was followed closely behind by Perrine Laffont (FRA) with a 79.63-effort, while Maia Schwinghammer (CAN) maintained her consistency this season by taking third with 75.22 points.

Said Kauf: “It was pretty spectacular, this crowd and this course. It’s all amazing. To take the top spot tonight is incredible, this place is so special.”

Kauf was cheered on by a sizable crowd of supporters wielding big letter Js.

I have a huge mob of people here supporting me. It’s so special to share this with them.– Jaelin Kauf

She said: “I could see them all bouncing around down here. I have a huge mob of people here supporting me. It’s so special to share this with them. They’re the ones who make it happen for me. It’s so special.”

Laffont maintains the lead in the World Cup standings, while Kauf remains in second place. Schwinghammer also keeps her third place so far.

Deer Valley’s gnarly Champion Run, with its demanding and long middle section, was one that tested skiers all day. Landing the top air, in particular, was the challenge that separated the best from the rest.

This year’s course also proved to be particularly tough, with some notable names crashing out.

The biggest casualty and upset of the night, no doubt, was Mikael Kingsbury (CAN). A small trip had thrown the tour leader off his balance during the first round of finals, leading to a collective gasp in the crowd.

The Canadian great missed out on the superfinal, proving that there was no room for even the tiniest mistakes on the Deer Valley course.

When the greatest Moguls skier of all-time trips up, it inadvertently brings more uncertainty to the field.

Ikuma Horishima (JPN), however, kept his nerves to rip through the course in style. He delivered one of the best runs seen yet on Champion, landing a Double Full + 1440 that left spectators and judges dumbfounded.

It led to a score of 86.24, as well as Horishima’s first World Cup win of the season.

Said the 27-year-old, who won the Crystal Globe last season: “The name of this course is Champion. It’s the feeling of being a champion at the top. It’s a very amazing feeling tonight.”

Pavel Kolamakov (KAZ) also produced some clutch skiing, taking second place with a score of 84.95 points for his first podium finish of the season.

Benjamin Cavet (FRA) rounded off the podium with 83.82.

The result pushes Horishima up the World Cup tour standings to second place, with Cavet now in third place.

The action in Deer Valley continues with Aerials on Friday, 7 February, while Dual Moguls will follow on Saturday.

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