Anthony in pole position to retain Olympic Moguls gold

Jakara Anthony (AUS) put herself in the best position to become the first woman to retain an Olympic Moguls title, topping qualification at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park on Tuesday.

This season’s Moguls Crystal Globe leader crossed the line in 25.59 seconds after landing a cork 720 and a clean backflip, scoring 81.65 points to progress to Wednesday’s finals.

Elizabeth Lemley (USA) had the highest score (48.4) for turns on her Olympic debut, qualifying second on 80.95 points.

“I think it's the best one I've had in my career ever,” said the 20-year-old. “I don't think I've broken 80 yet. I was less nervous than (at) a World Cup.”

Compatriot Olivia Giaccio (USA) finished third with 80.74 points, having received the highest mark for jumps (16.51), while Tess Johnson (USA) was ninth with 73.79 points.

However, Jaelin Kauf (USA) missed out on the top 10, finishing 27th out of the 29-strong field, with home hope Manuela Passaretta (ITA) not starting.

The Beijing 2022 silver medalist went fastest at 24.88 seconds despite losing control in the middle of the course, but had to settle with 53.38 points.

She will be looking to bounce back at a venue where she won a World Cup last year.

“I’m going to have to ski another qualification run, unfortunately, to start the day tomorrow," added last season’s Moguls triple crown winner. "But it'll give me another chance to get on there. Just going to focus on putting a run through. Obviously (I) tried to do that today and it didn't work out. (I'll) just put down some solid runs and try and focus on skiing.”

Johnson, second in the Moguls Crystal Globe race this season, is backing Kauf to come good.

“She’s going to crush it tomorrow. No worries about that,” she said. “There's a lot of nerves today. I was feeling them. That's why I didn't put my best run down. I'm so amazed by all the athletes that are able to put their best stuff down when the pressure is the highest, but that's why we do it, and I'm really going to embrace that pressure tomorrow.”

Qualification 2, starting at 11:00 CET tomorrow, will also feature Anastassiya Gorodko (KAZ), Rino Yanagimoto (JPN) and Charlotte Wilson (AUS).

The top 10 competitors from Qualification 2 will progress to the finals, which get underway at 14:15.

PyeongChang 2018 Moguls champion Perrine Laffont (FRA) is looking to return to the podium after qualifying fourth.

“I feel great. It wasn't easy. It's my comeback, so a lot of questions, but I think I've responded to them,” said the 27-year-old, who has been managing expectations and her body following injury. “I know that I'm ready. Did some mistakes. It's good, it means that I can fix my run for the finals, do it better.”