American K.C. Oakley beat the Olympic gold and silver medalists to bag her first World Cup moguls victory at the Visa Freestyle International in Park City, Utah, on Friday night.
Oakley, who was injured last year and did not make the U.S. Olympic team for Sochi, posted an 82.53 in her last run, topping a podium over the first- and second-place finishers in Sochi — Canadian sisters Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe — who tallied 79.46 and 79.28, respectively.
“I’m like freaking out right now,” said Oakley, 26, who had nerve entrapment surgery and broke a fibula along with torn ligaments last year. “A new confidence that I’ve never had.”
Sochi bronze medalist Hannah Kearney did not make the final and remains three wins behind the World Cup victories record held by 1992 U.S. Olympic champion Donna Weinbrecht.
In the men’s final, Canadian Olympic silver medalist Mikael Kingsbury prevailed with 90.25. Australian Matt Graham was second with 85.49, followed by two-time U.S. Olympian Patrick Deneen.
Olympic champion Alexandre Bilodeau retired after last season.
The Visa Freestyle International continues with dual moguls finals Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra.
The world’s best moguls skiers reconvene in Austria next week for the World Championships.
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