Moguls World Cup rides Olympic high in return to Japan

For the first time in six years, the FIS Moguls World Cup is returning to Japan, doing so at a point where athletes and fans are still riding high on the euphoria of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. 

The 28 February-1 March Nanto-Toyama event is the first stop after skiers’ Olympics exploits in Livigno, and will welcome several top performers making the trip from Italy. 

For starters, the US will be fielding its deep and stellar squad, among them some newly minted Olympic medallists.

Expect Elizabeth Lemley (USA) to be competing with more certainty and confidence in her skis. After wrapping up her debut Olympics with one gold (Moguls) and one bronze (Dual Moguls), the 20-year-old acknowledged that she is emerging from her maiden campaign a different athlete. 

Lemley will be joined by the likes of Jaelin Kauf (USA), who picked up two silvers in Livigno. Tess Johnson (USA) and Olivia Giaccio (USA), currently second and third on the Moguls Cup standings, will also be looking to stay in contention for the season’s biggest prize.

The US team, however, will have to keep Jakara Anthony (AUS) at bay as she holds a commanding 78-point lead in the Moguls standings. After winning Olympic gold in Dual Moguls, Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian will also be one to watch in the thrilling one-on-one format. 

In the men’s field, newly crowned Olympic champion Cooper Woods (AUS) and Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) will not make the trip to Japan. 

But a certain Ikuma Horishima (JPN) is set to show up, and he will be right at home. The 28-year-old suffered the disappointment of leaving Livigno with two medals, though neither was in the shade he craved the most.

But that can only mean fuel to the fire for Horishima as he relishes the rare chance to compete on home snow. There is also a notable prize on the line for the Japanese: with two more stops before the season concludes, Horishima leads the Moguls and Overall Moguls standings. 

Dual Moguls, which has been contested just once so far this season, is pencilled in for the Nanto-Toyama World Cup.

Moguls competition will begin in 28 January with women’s qualifications at 09:15 local time, then the men’s qualifications at 11:00. Finals will begin from 13:30. 

The next day, Dual Moguls will begin with preliminary rounds at 11:00, before elimination rounds from 13:30.

WATCH LIVE 

TV broadcasts will be available for fans to follow the action live, while there will also be live streaming on FIS TV. 

Here are the links and information about geo-restrictions – 

Saturday, 28 February 

Qualification – Women

Qualifications – Men

Finals

Sunday, 1 March 

Preliminary Rounds

Finals

Please note that due to broadcasting rights restrictions, live streaming availability may be limited in certain regions. 

However, the livestream for the finals is accessible in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore, and South Korea. For the qualifications, the livestream is available globally, with the exception of geo-restrictions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

QUICK LINKS

• Nanto-Toyama World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)

• Nanto-Toyama World Cup Stats Sheet

• Moguls World Cup standings: Women / Men

• 2025/26 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup calendar