- Jaelin Kauf, a top-ranked American freestyle skier, aims for Olympic gold.
- She enjoys strong support from family and fans in Italy and Utah.
- Kauf's foundation, Deliver the Love, supports young girls in sports.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Jaelin Kauf is eyeing gold. The American freestyle skier is currently ranked the fastest woman in moguls in the World Cup circuit.
And while many family members and friends will be cheering her on from Utah, a crowd of fans is also following her in Italy for the Winter Olympics.
Her mother, Patti Kauf, said her daughter is an inspiration to so many people in the Teton Valley.
"Half of us have been there before. But for a lot of people, this will be their first Olympic experience," Patti Kauf said.
Big Letter J's can be seen all over her hometown in Alta, Wyoming, and about 50 people will take them into the crowd at Livigno on Feb. 14.
"This community really supports Jaelin, and in turn, Jaelin has really brought the community together," said Mark Hanson, Jaelin's godfather.
Jaelin Kauf took home silver in Women's Moguls at Beijing in 2022, and since then, she has been gradually progressing in her speed and ability.
"We're really, really excited to be able to go as a larger collective and be able to celebrate with each other and get to celebrate and support," said Lydia Hanson, one of Jaelin's longtime friends and one of the 50 traveling to Italy to cheer her on.
This will be Kauf's third Olympics, heading in as a favorite. It will be the first time Mogul doubles will be here. She has a strong advantage, due to Team USA dominating the World Cup at Deer Valley in January, taking all four top spots, with Kauf taking first.
"It's really exciting, and Jaelin is really fast," Patti Kauf said. "So it's really exciting to watch her ski doubles."
Now the pressure is on for her to podium, or even take gold.
"That pressure is a privilege, and it is what you make of it," Jaelin Kauf said. "That pressure comes from an immense amount of love and support from so many people all over the world watching and cheering me on."
And sometimes that extra push from the ones you love is just enough to get you over the edge.
"I'm only skiing for myself out there, and I have a huge crowd and huge support system there to cheer me on, regardless of where I end up," she said.
Jaelin Kauf also recently launched Deliver the Love, a foundation that supports the dreams of young girls by offering scholarships and resources as they pursue their dreams in the love of their sports.
She will be sharing that message on her helmet when she hits the slopes.
