Jakara Anthony has become Australia’s most decorated World Cup skier after claiming her 26th career moguls victory at Waterville Valley in the United States, further underlining her status as a leading contender to defend her Olympic title next month.
The 27-year-old produced another commanding performance to secure her third World Cup win of the season, placing her in ideal form ahead of the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics. In doing so, Anthony moved clear of Victorian aerials great Jacqui Cooper atop Australia’s all-time World Cup winners list.
After the event was pushed back by a day because of poor weather, Anthony delivered a fast, controlled run in the medal round. Her routine, featuring a cork seven and a backflip mute grab, earned a score of 81.17 making her the only woman in the field to break the 80-point mark.
American skiers Elizabeth Lemley and Olivia Giaccio rounded out the podium, finishing second and third respectively. Lemley, just 19, continues an impressive comeback season after missing last year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, recording her second consecutive World Cup podium.
Anthony said Waterville Valley has become something of a happy hunting ground for her, having also claimed two victories at the venue last season. She acknowledged the challenges of a disrupted campaign but was pleased to finish this phase of the season with a series of clean, confident runs, describing it as a satisfying place to pause the World Cup calendar.
Fellow Australian Charlotte Wilson finished 13th in the women’s competition.
In the men’s event, Japan’s Ikuma Horishima prevailed in difficult, icy conditions. Opting for a more conservative approach, Horishima still did enough to take victory with a score of 85.56. Sweden’s Filip Gravenfors finished second, while Japan’s Shota Hirayama claimed his first World Cup podium in third.
Australian Matt Graham, who alongside Anthony wore the yellow bib as the overall standings leader, placed 16th, with Cooper Woods finishing 22nd.
Horishima admitted to some nerves in the challenging conditions but welcomed sharing the podium with a compatriot, expressing hope for more Japanese success in future events.
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