SSCV alumni post top-10 finishes at World Cup mogul season opener

Former Ski and Snowboard Club Vail mogul stars Tess Johnson and Kai Owens placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the FIS freestyle World Cup season opener on Saturday in Ruka, Finland.

“It was a really fun day. I’m really thrilled with how I’m skiing and it’s a great way to start off the season,” said Johnson, who is coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which she finished seventh in the overall standings.

French Olympic champion Perrine Laffont — who took last season off — won the individual mogul event in her return to the circuit.

---

---

“I don’t know what to say,” the 26-year-old told FIS media after winning for a third time at the Ruka venue. “It was really hard to come back. I just want to thank my team, because without them, I wouldn’t do it alone. Thanks to them, thanks to the work that we’ve done. It’s hard to believe. This is crazy, it’s like a dream. I’m just super happy right now.”

Laffont scored 81.13 in the final to take the win as Jakara Anthony — who won 14 of 16 mogul events last season — was second with 80.00 and American Olivia Giaccio (76.95) placed third.

---

---

“It’s exciting to be back in the gates,” Anthony told FIS. “It’s been a while since we last competed. To kick off the season here is like coming home.”

Johnson had the second-fastest run in the super final, finishing just 0.06 seconds behind Laffont. She also notched the third-best aerial score.

“I had so much fun with my teammates. We were joking that today is one of the most nerve wracking days of the year just it being the first World Cup and it was firm and icy. But, super fun day and I’m super proud of how I skied.”

Fellow SSCV alumna Liz Lemley, who finished second in Ruka last year, did not compete in the event as she suffered a knee injury earlier in the week.

Saturday’s competition was the first for Owens since Dec. 15, 2023. The 2022 Olympian has battled various injuries since the 2022 Beijing Olympics and Junior World Championships in Chiesa in Valmalenco. The 20-year-old missed all of the 2022-23 season and the second half of last year.

“I’m just really proud of Kai, especially,” Johnson said. “It’s her first super final in I think two years and (I’m) really proud of her. Really proud of Olivia who finished third. Every one of us has something to say and we’re all going to have our day this season. It’s just a matter of when.”

There’s a lot at stake for the U.S. women’s team this season. In addition to the typical North American swing — which includes stops in Waterville and Deer Valley in January and February — athletes will compete for a spot at the World Championships in Engadin from March 18-21. Plus, the World Cup Finals the week prior in Livigno will provide a preview of the 2026 Olympic venue. But Johnson isn’t looking too far ahead at the moment.

“Honestly, I’m setting my sights on Idre Fjall next week because I think it’s best to go one day at a time,” she said. “That being said, at the end of the season there is World Championships and I’m definitely really excited for that opportunity to qualify for that.”

While Johnson understands the challenge of making a global championship squad, especially on the unusually deep U.S. women’s team, she felt Saturday was a pretty good start in the qualifying process.

“Yeah absolutely,” she said. “The criteria allows for a spot to qualify for the Olympics at the end of this season, so there is a spot open and that’s really exciting. I’m proud of today’s start but so much can happen. That’s what the beauty and the curse of being on such a deep team is that everyone has their day. No matter what day it is, someone is skiing their best.” 

Mikael Kingsbury won the men’s competition Saturday morning as Cole McDonald was the top-placing American in fifth. SSCV alumnus Dylan Walczyk — who is also working with Lemley’s coach, John Dowling — was the second American in ninth.

The World Cup continues in Idre Fjall, Sweden from Dec. 6-7 with moguls and dual moguls competitions.