Karenna Elliott won an aerials World Cup on Saturday in one of the biggest breakthroughs in U.S. freestyle skiing history.
Elliott, a 23-year-old part-time fly fishing guide from Cincinnati, landed her first back full-double full in competition to score 89.18 points in Lac-Beauport, Canada.
She prevailed over Australian Danielle Scott, the world’s top-ranked aerialist, and Canadian Marion Thénault.
Elliott’s best finish in 13 previous World Cup starts dating to 2019 was ninth. She learned how to ski at age 16 and has harbored ambitions of becoming a private pilot.
Then on Sunday, American Winter Vinecki won for the third time in five World Cups this season, retaking the overall standings lead from Scott.
Vinecki landed a back lay-full-full for 97.88 points as the only woman attempting a triple on the day.
She goes into the final World Cup in Kazakhstan on March 10 bidding to become the first American man or woman to win a World Cup season aerials title since Ashley Caldwell in 2016.
KARENNA KARENNA KARENNA ⭐️‼️
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) February 11, 2024
Karenna Elliott is GOLDEN in Lac-Beauport, earning her first career podium and win all in the same day with a new trick to go along with it 🥹 #stifelusskiteam pic.twitter.com/qbMbBoyL9z
Winter Vinecki stormed to victory on day two at Lac-Beauport, reclaiming the top spot with her Lay-Full-Full. She was the only woman to execute triples on the day, securing her third win of the season in the process. She’s back on top in the World Cup standing too 🚀🚀🚀 #aerials pic.twitter.com/vaCR4qmlzR
— FISfreestyle (@FISfreestyle) February 11, 2024