YOG: Lemley and Lee clinch gold in Dual Moguls
Jan 27, 2024·Freestyle
Elizabeth Lemley, one of the most promising young athletes globally, has already set her sights on future aspirations. Lemley won the women's dual moguls gold medal at Jeongseon High 1 Ski Resort on Saturday, defeating Lottie Lodge (AUS) in the big final. The Colorado athlete, who has a passion for flying, dreams of joining the United States Air Force one day. “My dad’s a pilot, and I’ve been flying since I was young. I just love it. I’d love to be a pilot and I like flying high,” Lemley shared.
For now, she's basking in the glory on the slopes. “I’m honored to have the first gold medals in dual moguls in the Youth Olympics. It’s a beautiful feeling,” the 18-year-old expressed. Lemley, the star of the moguls at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, also played a crucial role in the USA winning the mixed team dual moguls on Friday.
Silver medalist Lottie Lodge praised Lemley, saying, “Liz is so cool. She must train really hard. Moguls are a grind.” Abby McLarnon (USA), who claimed bronze by defeating Manuela Passaretta (ITA), also lauded her teammate: “I love Liz so much. She’s great at finding the right things to do and knowing when to do them. In moguls, confidence and mental strength are key.”
In the men’s competition, Lee Yoon Seung (KOR) took the title to the joy of the home crowd, with Porter Huff (USA) securing silver and Nakamura Takuto (JPN) taking bronze. “I've been practicing this run all season and I'm thrilled to have performed my best here,” Lee commented. “This is my ski town, my home. I'm so happy.”
The addition of dual moguls to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games program is an exciting prospect for these young athletes. "Getting to Milan-Cortina would be the goal," McLarnon noted. "It's fantastic that dual moguls are now part of the Olympics. They're always so much fun."
As the YOG dual moguls competition concludes, the achievements of these young athletes not only mark their current success but also pave the way for their bright futures in the sport.
