American 'Lizard' Skier Wins Gold in Women's Moguls

Elizabeth Lemley leads a U.S. 1-2 medal finish at the Milan Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Elizabeth Lemley, a 20-year-old American freestyle skier nicknamed 'Lizard', won the gold medal in women's moguls at the Milan Cortina Games. Lemley topped the eight-skier final with a score of 82.30 points, leading a red, white and blue 1-2 medal grab as fellow American Jaelin Kauf took silver with a score of 80.77. Perrine Laffont of France won bronze.

Why it matters

Lemley's gold medal ends a 16-year drought for the U.S. women's moguls team, with the last American gold coming in 2010 from Hannah Kearney. This is also the first time the U.S. has swept the top two spots on the podium in women's moguls at the Olympics.

The details

In the final run, Lemley had to wait anxiously as defending champion Jakara Anthony of Australia launched her final run. But Anthony wobbled off course, clinching the gold medal for Lemley. Lemley, a Vail, Colorado native, had to overcome an ACL tear two years ago to make it to the Olympics.

  • Lemley won gold on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 at the Milan Cortina Games.
  • Lemley's last major victory was two years ago at the Youth Winter Games, where she won two gold medals.

The players

Elizabeth Lemley

A 20-year-old American freestyle skier nicknamed 'Lizard' by her teammates, who won the gold medal in women's moguls at the Milan Cortina Games.

Jaelin Kauf

An American freestyle skier who won the silver medal in women's moguls, defending her silver medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Perrine Laffont

A French freestyle skier who won the bronze medal in women's moguls, the 2018 Olympic champion in the event.

Jakara Anthony

An Australian freestyle skier who was the defending champion in women's moguls, but fell off course in her final run, clinching the gold medal for Lemley.

Bryon Wilson

The U.S. moguls coach and a bronze medalist in men's moguls at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, who said this is the best women's moguls team the U.S. has ever had.

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What they’re saying

“When she pulled out I just had a huge gasp. I started tearing up in my eyes. I was like, I can't believe this. I just became Olympic champion.”

— Elizabeth Lemley (The Washington Times)

“It's been a long time coming for this team to stand on top of the podium at the Olympic Games, since Hannah Kearney retired. So it's really cool to finally get that and to have one and two.”

— Jaelin Kauf (The Washington Times)

“Each woman on this team is capable of winning on any given day, and they have won in the past, and I think that just builds excellence. Each of them has their talents and their strengths. Jalen is incredibly fast. Lizard is an amazing jumper and just overall incredible talent. Olivia is also an incredible jumper, and Tess has the whole package.”

— Bryon Wilson, U.S. moguls coach (The Washington Times)

What’s next

The four American women - Lemley, Kauf, Olivia Giaccio, and Tess Johnson - will now compete in the dual moguls event, looking to add more medals to the U.S. tally.

The takeaway

Lemley's gold medal and the U.S. women's 1-2 finish in moguls marks a resurgence for the American team, which had not won gold in the event since 2010. This collection of talent is being hailed as the best the U.S. women's moguls team has ever had, setting them up as the team to beat at the next Olympics.