Macuga Double Junior World Champion; Strong U.S. Showing in Moguls

The future of mogul skiing looks bright following a strong showing from up-and-coming athletes at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy, March 23-25.

Newly crowned FIS Rookie of the Year skier Alli Macuga became a double Junior World Champion, winning the Team Dual Moguls with teammate Asher Michel and Dual Moguls events Friday and Saturday. 

“It was a very fun weekend with a tough course, with it being the end of the year it’s been a bit of a battle,” said Macuga. “I’m happy with the past few days and my results. I was really just trying to push after singles day to my best. Since it’s the end of the season I wanted to go out with a bang. Thanks to my family and my team and my sponsors again.”

Athletes competed in three events in three days. Friday was the single moguls event, where Macuga was the top American finisher, just off the podium in fourth. Kasey Hogg took fifth, Kylie Kariotis sixth, and Skylar Slettene 17th. On the men’s side Asher Michel took bronze, Jack Petrone finished 11th, Charlie Mickel 12th and Peyton Billeisen 15th. 

The Team Dual Moguls event ran Saturday with Macgua and Michel representing Team USA. The pair won gold, beating Team Canada in the Big Final. 

“It was a very fun team event and to ski with Asher, stoked for him,” Macuga said. “Having a partner was fun, he’s a very fast skier. I was happy to be at the top of the box with him.”

Sunday the American women went 1-4 in Dual Moguls. Macuga took gold, Slettene silver, Kariotis bronze and Hogg fourth. Petrone was the top American finisher for the men in fifth, Michel took 10th, Mickel 14th and Billeisen 29th. 

RESULTS
Women’s Moguls
Men’s Moguls
Team Dual Moguls
Women’s Dual Moguls
Men’s Dual Moguls