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Wyoming's Queen Of Moguls Skiing Sweeps World Cup Championships

Published

8 months ago

April 13, 2025

Wyoming's Queen Of Moguls Skiing Sweeps World Cup Championships

Long known as the queen of speed in freestyle moguls skiing, the implementation of higher intensity tricks in recent years has made Jaelin Kauf a nearly unstoppable force.

The 28-year-old, who calls Alta, Wyoming, home ended the 2024-25 season in late March by winning not only a World Championship, but also capturing a hat-trick in the World Cup Series with the most points in women’s singles, duals and overall moguls for the first time in U.S. history.

It was the first American World Cup season title in moguls skiing in a decade, with Hannah Kearney winning the last overall season title in 2015. So it seems only fitting when asked to describe her recent season in one word, Kauf deferred to Kearney.

“Hannah Kearney kept saying dominant and I really like how that sounds,” she said. “I’m super excited heading into the Olympics this year. I feel like everything is building in the right direction. I’m having a lot of fun and loving it, so I’m looking forward to continuing to build off this season.”

Making History

One of America’s biggest moguls stars, Kauf has 16 World Cup victories, 50 World Cup podiums, a World Championships gold medal, seven U.S. Championship titles and a 2022 Olympic silver medal to her name.

Her skiing career began the way many do, with Kauf following her family into the sport. Her parents Scott and Patti were both skiers on the pro moguls tour, and her older brother Skyler took up the discipline at a young age as well.

Kauf learned to ski at Grand Targhee before moving to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, as a freshman in high school where she was able to train on aerials.

In mogul skiing, a skier’s score is based on three elements: turns (60%), air (20%), and speed (20%), with judges evaluating the quality of turns, aerial maneuvers, and time to complete the course. Dual moguls are an event where two athletes compete side-by-side. The competitor with the highest score based turns, air and speed advances to the next round.

Kauf medaled for the first time in 2016, and that year was named Rookie of the Year on the World Cup tour. Since then, she has been a consistent podium finisher on the World Cup, but a crystal globe had been just out of reach. She’s previously finished second in the season standings in 2018, 2019 and 2024.

Heading into this season she made some small changes that made a big difference. Kauf wanted to focus on building throughout each event, putting down strong qualification runs and continuing to improve through the super final.

She also made a switch to her aerial jumps. In past years, Kauf would throw a back mute (skier grabs the opposite ski and then rotates their upper body backwards while still facing the opposite direction) on her top air and a cork 720 (two distinct off-axis spins) on her bottom air. She flip-flopped the jumps this season as she can adjust more in the air on the back mute and better stick the landing.

“I think I’ve just been zoning in a bit more on my consistency each year,” she said. “I also switched up my air package a bit which definitely worked well.”

Jaelin Kauf of Team USA in action during the Women’s Moguls practice session of the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2025 on March 17, 2025, in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by David Ramos, Getty Images)
Jaelin Kauf of Team United States wins the gold medal during the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships on March 21, 2025, in Engadin, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski, Agence Zoom via Getty Images)
Jaelin Kauf of Team United States wins the gold medal during the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships on March 21, 2025, in Engadin, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski, Agence Zoom via Getty Images)
Jaelin Kauf of Team United States during the warm up ahead of the Women’s Moguls Qualification on March 18, 2025, in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by David Ramos, Getty Images)

Dominating

Kauf didn’t medal in her first World Cup event this season but made the podium from there on out. She won eight of the 16 events this year, including a five-event win streak in February. She also took home five silver medals and one bronze.

She became the duals and overall season champion at the event in Kazakhstan in February after winning the dual competition, her seventh victory in the event this season.

“That’s [clinching the globe] pretty incredible,” Kauf told U.S. Ski and Snowboard at the event. “I’ve been working at that for a long time, and I’m stoked with the win today. It was a super fun competition, I’m really excited about those titles, it’s really special.”

The hat-trick would come down to her Super Final run in Livigno, Italy, a few weeks later. Only six World Cup points separated Kauf from French skier Perrine Laffont for the singles trophy, so whoever scored better in the event would win the globe.

“I was just focusing on skiing my run,” Kauf said. “I had a few things I knew I could improve upon from the finals run and so was going over my cues for those, but mostly just focusing on executing everything the best I could and hopefully take out of the judges hands as much as possible.”

Laffont laid down a 77-point run at the World Series Finals. Kauf finished the course in 24.7 seconds, which was the fastest by over a full second. Her points for aerials and turns down the bumps separated her even further and she finished with 81.21 points to win her third title in just two weeks.

“I’ve come in second quite a few years now and it’s been a big goal of mine to be the best in the world and take that title, so to finally do that and take all three globes felt amazing,” she said.

The moment was made even more memorable by the fact that Kauf’s mother, father and stepfather were all in attendance to witness it.

“It was so special,” she said. “They have obviously been a huge part of this journey and it’s always special to know they are waving the Js and cheering me on from the bottom of the course.”

Jaelin Kauf of Team United States wins the gold medal during the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships on March 21, 2025, in Engadin, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski, Agence Zoom via Getty Images)

Golden Girl Continues

And Kauf wasn’t done yet.

She continued to ride the momentum into the Freestyle World Ski Championships in Switzerland in late March. After skiing out of the course in the singles competition to finish eighth, Kauf turned her focus to dual moguls.

Conditions were less than ideal, as an overnight freeze made for hard, frozen bumps. Several athletes skied off the course in the early rounds, but Kauf managed to make it to the final round of 16.

After advancing through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, Kauf faced off with American teammate Tess Johnson in the final. Kauf’s speed in the mid-section of the course, along with solid jumps, helped her pull away to secure the World Championship title. It was the first time two Americans finished first and second in the 26-year-old dual moguls competition.

“It was a really great way to end the season,” Kauf said. “I’d been after that World Championship title for a while as well, and especially with how singles day went, it felt good to put it all together and ski how I wanted to.”

During the awards ceremony, Kauf was given the gold “2025 World Champion” bib to wear as the crowd roared.

“I might have to frame this one,” she said of her thoughts about the coveted bib.

After taking some time off, she will get back into training for next season, which includes the 2026 Olympics in Italy.

“I’m very happy that the season is over and get some time off to just relax now and I’ll definitely be spending some time off up in Wyoming this summer,” she said.

For the first time, Kauf has the chance to compete in two Olympic events, as dual moguls will be making its debut at Milano Cortina 2026.

“It’s super exciting to have another event and another medal opportunity for us,” Kauf said. “I love duals and the energy of the event, and I feel like it’s going to be a big hit at the Olympics!”

Commodore Track & Field Schedule Revealed – Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website

Published

40 seconds ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Director of Vanderbilt cross country and track and field Althea Thomas released the program’s 2025–26 schedule, which features four home and 11 away meets.

The Commodores kick off the new season at home with the Commodore Winter Challenge on Saturday at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center. Two more indoor home meets, the Vanderbilt Invitational and Music City Challenge, will be Jan. 16–17 and Feb. 13–14, respectively.

The SEC Indoor Championships will be Feb. 26–28 in College Station, Texas. The top 16 qualifiers in each event will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 13–14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Vandy will travel to several away events during the indoor and outdoor seasons, including several repeat events like Florida Relays, Mt. SAC Relays and others and new additions, such as the Hampton Inn River City Relays and 44 Farms Team Invitational.

The Dores will close out their outdoor regular season in Nashville with the Music City Challenge on May 1–2 at the Vanderbilt Outdoor Track.

Vanderbilt will head south to Auburn, Alabama, for the SEC Outdoor Championships on May 14–16. The NCAA East First Round will be May 27–30 in Lexington, Kentucky, and the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be June 10–13 in Eugene, Oregon.

The program’s full schedule is available at vucommodores.com. Fans can follow Vanderbilt track and field on Facebook, Instagram and X at @VandyXCTrack.

2025-26 Vanderbilt Track & Field Schedule
Dec. 6 Winter Commodore Challenge in Nashville
Jan. 9–10 Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational in Louisville, Ky.
Jan. 16-17 Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville
Jan. 30–31 Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, S.C.
Jan. 31 John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston
Feb. 13–14 Music City Challenge in Nashville
Feb. 26-28 SEC Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas
March 13–14 NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
March 19–20 Hampton Inn River City Relays in Jacksonville, Fla.
March 26–27 Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
April 3–4 Florida Relays in Gainesville, Fla.
April 9–11 44 Farms Team Invitational in College Station, Texas
April 10 Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
April 15–18 Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.
April 16–18 Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif.
April 25–26 LSU Alumni Invitational in Baton Rouge, La.
May 1–2 Music City Challenge in Nashville
May 14–16 SEC Outdoor Championships in Auburn, Ala.
May 27–30 NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Ky.
June 10–13 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
June 18–21 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
July TBD USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
Aug. 5–9 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Ore.

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Gameday

Published

18 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Gameday

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Track & Field Beings Indoor Season at Vanderbilt’s Winter Commodore Challenge

Published

34 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s track and field team begins its 2025-26 season at Vanderbilt’s Commodore Winter Challenge, Saturday, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center in Nashville.

The meet is Austin Peay’s first of five in the indoor campaign’s regular season and also the first of three times the Govs will travel to the Music City ahead of the spring’s outdoor season.

Led by third-year head coach Asha Gibson-Smith, the Governors return 21 athletes including Taylin Segree who was a four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week and qualified for the USATF U20 Championships last season.

Gibson-Smith also welcomed six veteran newcomers in transfers Holly Harding (Lindenwood), Mallory Hodge (Eastern Kentucky), Laure Marie Kidakula (Georgia State), Mariah Mitchem (Coker University), Raven Payne (Bellarmine), and Zoe Spann-McDonald (West Virginia State). The Govs’ newcomer class features a quartet of freshmen, with Emily Bey, Molly Brown, China Giaimo, and Te’Onja Hinds set to begin their collegiate careers at Vanderbilt’s meet.

Saturday’s events begin in the field at 8:30 a.m. with Marcia Dejesus, Giaimo, and Emma Tucker competing in the weight throw. At the same time, Ja’Kyah Montgomery will be competing in the high jump. APSU concludes the day at 3:55 p.m. with Taylah Upshaw competing in the 1,000-meter.

Saturday’s meet will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Jake Lyman on the call. Live results are available at the link atop this article.

Up Next

Austin Peay returns to action in mid-January when it returns to Nashville to the Vanderbilt Invitational, Jan. 16-17, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center

Austin Peay Competition List

Weight Throw (8:30 a.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker

High Jump (8:30 a.m.) – Ja’Kyah Montgomery

Pole Vault (10 a.m.) – Myra Eriksson

Long Jump (11:30 a.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik

60m Hurdles Prelims (12 p.m.) – Molly Brown, Nevaeh Schmeling, Zoe Spann-McDonald

Shot Put (12:30 p.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker

Triple Jump (2:30 p.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik, Ja’Kyah Montgomery

300m (2:35 p.m.) – Isis Banks, Alijanae Cole, Seven Pettus

600m (3:15 p.m.) – Alexis Arnett, Mia McGee, Taylin Segree

1000m (3:55 p.m.) – Taylah Upshaw

Follow the Govs on Socials

For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 track & field season, follow the Governors on X and Instagram (@GovsXCTF) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com

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Tharayil Competes in Heptathlon to Kick Off Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season

Published

51 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Men’s Track and Field | 12/5/2025 6:55:00 PM

Findlay, Ohio – First-place finishes in shot put and 1,000 meter helped senior Justin Tharayil grab third-place in the heptathlon with 3,900 points at the 2025 Oiler Opener and Multi, hosted by Findlay University. He finished behind Camden St.John of Findlay and first-place Nick Farfoglia of conference foe Wittenberg, who had 4,556 points.

Tharayil posted first-place finishes in shot put (10.89m), and 1000 meter (3:02.56), and took second in high jump (1.80m). His high jump and shot put marks make it a career-best for the senior. He also had a 3.10m mark in pole vault to help solidify his third-place ranking. His 3,900 points is a career-best in the heptathlon.

Scored Events

60m – 7.91 (4th)

Long Jump – 5.86m (3rd)

Shot Put – 10.89m (1st)

High Jump – 1.80m (T-2nd)

60m Hurdles – 9.84 (3rd)

Pole Vault – 3.10m (3rd)

1000m – 3:02.56 (1st)

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison travels to Springfield, Ohio to compete in the Tiger Opener hosted by Wittenberg University tomorrow Saturday, December 6.

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Season Preview: Men’s Indoor Track and Field Ready to Build off Previous Seasons

Published

1 hour ago

December 6, 2025

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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. The Hartford Men’s Track and Field team is eager to start the upcoming indoor season. The Hawks come off the heels of a Conference Championship a season ago, as well as a 14th place finish in the NCAA Division III New England Championship. The group looks to build on last year’s success to push themselves even further in the 2025-26 season.

Familiar Faces:

Head coach Connor Green comes back for his third year at the helm of both the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field coach. He welcomes back 34 returners who look to make their mark following a successful season last year. Amongst the top returners is sophomore Aidan Lybarger (South Burlington, Vt.) who last year was honored as USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region in Discus, CNE All-Conference First Team (Discus), as well as becoming a school record holder (Outdoor Discus – 52.49 Meters).

“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season overall, especially from the throwers perspective. We all have gotten a lot better from last year which is amazing.” Lybarger said.

Senior Peter Effinger (Washingtonville, N.Y.) is also a key returner for the Hawks, coming off a CNE Academic All-Conference season, a year ago.

“I’d like to go out and have a good season, set some PRs, and hopefully win another championship. Continue with hard training, making good progress in workouts, and trying to get under those milestones.” said Effinger.

Another key returner is junior Thomas Yonkers (Farmington, Conn.), who last season was honored as CNE Academic All-Conference, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, School Record (Outdoor Pole Vault – 4.25 Meters).

“I think we’re looking to get back to the CNE and win the conference again, and we’re looking like a good team like last year. I’m most excited to see how the freshmen really develop their spots on the team. We’ve got a couple new vaulters, who I’m really excited to see this year in their first college season. ” Yonkers said.

Season Outlook:

The Hawks will begin their season at the Yale invitational on Dec. 6th. Following that event they will take on the Wesleyan University Invitational on Jan. 24th. They will also compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Jan. 31st. The Hawks will close out the indoor track and field season at the NCAA Division III New England Championships in Boston at the New England at the Track of New Balance.

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

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Kentucky Track and Field Opens 2025-26 Indoor Season at Commodore Winter Challenge – UK Athletics

Published

1 hour ago

December 6, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats track and field team is set for the start of a new indoor season this Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. at the Commodore Winter Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.

For the first event of the new season, the Wildcats will send 45 total athletes to Nashville, competing across 21 separate events. The travel list for the weekend’s event is highlighted by returners Camden Bentley, Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, Stacey Onyepunuka, Kate Powers and Emmi Scales on the women’s side and Grayson Brashear, Patrick Faust, Miles Jones, Devin Sealey and Anthony Waterman on the men’s side.

The Wildcats welcome 40 total newcomers to the 2025-26 roster, including 22 on the men’s side and 18 on the women’s side. Of the 40 new additions, 30 feature as true freshman, looking to make their collegiate debut this weekend for the Wildcats.

During the indoor portion of the 2025-26 schedule, the Wildcats will compete in eight meets, beginning with tomorrow’s event in Nashville. Following the turn of the calendar, Kentucky will host the Rod McCravy Memorial on Jan. 9-10 at the Norton Center in Louisville, Ky.

The final stretch of the regular season for the Cats consists of the Crossroads of America Invitational (Jan. 23-24), Razorback Invitational (Jan. 30-31) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and the Tiger Paw Invitational on Feb. 13-14.

For the second consecutive season, the Texas A&M Aggies will play host to the 2026 SEC Indoor Championships at the Fasken Indoor Track & Field Facility in College Station, Texas on Feb. 26-28. The 2025-26 indoor season will conclude on Mar. 13-14 in the Cats’ second trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the NCAA Championships.

On Saturday in Nashville, Kentucky will compete against fellow SEC programs Tennessee and host Vanderbilt, as well as Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Belmont, Chattanooga, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Competition for the Commodore Winter Challenge in Nashville is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, starting with Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers and Addison Stadsholt representing the Wildcats in the women’s weight throw event.

Event Schedule

Commodore Winter Challenge: Saturday, December 6: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME
Women’s Weight Throw	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s High Jump	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Kemarah Howard
Men’s High Jump	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Devin Sealey
Men’s Long Jump	11:00 a.m.	FINAL	Kingi McNair
Men’s Pole Vault	11:00 a.m.	FINAL	Grant Harrison, Jack Marek
Men’s Weight Throw	11:30 a.m.	FINAL	Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad, Cian Crampton
Women’s Long Jump	12:30 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, Julia Gunnell, Kemarah Howard, Skyler Reynolds
Women’s 60m Hurdles	1:00 p.m.	PRELIMS	Dahlia Beasley, Camden Bentley, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, Kori Martin, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Alene Washington
Men’s 60m Hurdles	1:25 p.m.	PRELIMS	Anthony Waterman
Women’s Shot Put	1:30 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, Meagan Ewers, Julia Gunnell, Gwyneth Lori, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s 60m	1:45 p.m.	PRELIMS	Briley Cline, Sharmelle Holmes, Naseera Efua Quansah, Briana St. Louis
Women’s Pole Vault	2:00 p.m.	FINAL	Kaylee Daniel, Annie Murphy, Chelsea Wetzel
Men’s 60m	2:00 p.m.	PRELIMS	Coy Hyre, Miles Jones, Jack Marek, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Men’s 60m Hurdles	2:45 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Women’s 60m Hurdles	2:55 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Men’s 60m	3:05 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Women’s 60m	3:15 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Men’s/Women’s Triple Jump	3:30 p.m.	FINAL	Theo Mudzengerere
Men’s Shot Put	3:30 p.m.	FINAL	Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad
Women’s 300m	3:35 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, A’Laji Bradley, Briley Cline, Tressia Davis, Hannah Douglas, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, JahQueen McClellan, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Briana St. Louis, Alene Washington
Men’s 300m	3:55 p.m.	FINAL	Tyrique Johnson, Brandon Nyandoro, TK Pahuwa, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Women’s 600m	4:15 p.m.	FINAL	Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera
Men’s 600m	4:35 p.m.	FINAL	Patrick Faust
Women’s 4x400m	5:05 p.m.	FINAL	Kentucky
Men’s 4x400m	5:20 p.m.	FINAL	Kentucky