Giaccio Fifth in Alpe d’Huez Dual Moguls, Mickel Ninth
Olivia Giaccio was the top U.S. woman in dual moguls in the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Alpe d’Huez, France, finishing fifth. D Team athlete Charlie Mickel was ninth, his best FIS World Cup result.
Anri Kawamura of Japan and Perrine Lafont of France battled for first, with Kawamura taking the win. Jakara Anthony of Australia was third. Japan brought home the men's win too, with Ikuma Horishima of Japan on the top step of the podium. Benjamin Cavet of France was second and Walter Wallberg third.
Giaccio skied well to make it into the quarterfinals, but couldn’t beat the Olympic champion LaFont, who ended up second. But she scored another top finish, and will keep that in her back pocket as she looks for the podium in 2023. Lemley, who podiumed in the last two events, also made it to the quarterfinals and finished eighth. Jaelin Kauf snagged another top 10, taking 10th, and Alli Macuga was 11th. Tess Johnson was 13th and Development Team skier Kasey Hogg had her personal best World Cup result in 14th place.
Mickel made it to the round of 16, but was beat out by William Feneley of Great Britain. But it was a stellar result for the young 18 year old, who only just started skiing World Cups this season. His previous personal best was 21st place, so he was excited to crack the top 10.
"I'm super happy with my skiing all day and thrilled to finally break that top 10 bubble," said Mickel.
"Looking forward to the rest of the season and glad I could end this trip with a good result."
Behind Mickel, Dylan Walczyk also made the round of 16 and finished 14th. Cole McDonald was 17th, Nick Page 22nd and Ian Beauregard 28th.
The Alpe d’Huez World Cup wrapped up the first period of moguls skiing with the athletes now heading home for a holiday break.
