The U.S. women's moguls team demonstrated their strength at the season-opening World Cup in Ruka, Finland, despite not winning both competitions. The team secured one victory, four podium finishes, and eight top-10 finishes. Tess Johnson emerged as the standout performer, winning the solo moguls competition on December 7, while teammate Olivia Giaccio took third place. In the following competition on December 8, Giaccio finished second, with Jaelin Kauf in third. Parkites Kasey Hogg and Alli Macuga also performed well, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively, in the second competition. All the skiers are competing for potential Olympic spots this season, which is notably challenging due to the cancellation of two scheduled World Cup events in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, and Bakuriani, Georgia. The next competition for the team is set for January 9 and 10, 2026, in Val St. Come, Canada. Johnson expressed pride in her performance, emphasizing the hard work the team puts in and the positive outcomes they achieve. As the top-ranked women’s moguls skier globally, Johnson aims for her second Olympic bid after finishing 12th at the 2022 Games in PyeongChang. She recognizes the pressure this season brings but maintains a positive outlook, quoting Billie Jean King on the privilege of pressure. Johnson is excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities to improve. Hogg and Macuga, both 22, are also chasing Olympic qualifications. Hogg, feeling confident after her results in Ruka, highlighted the rigorous conditions of the course. Both skiers are looking forward to the North American competitions to build on their performances. Macuga, returning from a development tour, expressed joy at being back on the World Cup stage, despite previous struggles with injury. The team is currently training in Ruka before their next event, aiming to refine their skills as they prepare for the upcoming competitions in North America.