The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has cancelled the freestyle moguls World Cup Finals scheduled for this weekend at Shahdag Mountain Resort in Azerbaijan due to insufficient snow and logistical challenges. This marks the fourth cancellation of the season, ending it prematurely and affecting athletes' opportunities for titles. American skier Jaelin Kauf loses her chance to defend the dual moguls Crystal Globe after winning both contested events.
The decision to cancel the finals was announced on Saturday by FIS and organizers in Azerbaijan, postponing the event to next winter. This abrupt end comes after a season plagued by weather-related issues, with only two dual moguls competitions held—in Canada and Japan—preventing the awarding of a dual moguls Crystal Globe. Jaelin Kauf, from Alta, won both dual events but could not defend her title from last year, when she claimed all three Crystal Globes for singles, duals, and overall points. Kauf also earned two silver medals at the Olympics in Italy last month.
In the standings, American Olivia Giaccio secured the overall moguls Crystal Globe with 490 points, marking her first World Cup title; she reached the podium in every race except one. For singles, Australia's Jakara Anthony and Giaccio tied at 360 points, but Anthony won the title via a tiebreaker for more victories, securing her seventh career Crystal Globe. Anthony, a two-time Olympic champion, benefited from the cancellation of the Azerbaijan finals, which was partly due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East affecting travel.
The U.S. women's team dominated the season, winning the moguls Nations Cup with four victories, 18 podiums, nine top-10 results from various athletes, and four Olympic medals—one of the strongest performances in team history.
Prior cancellations included events in Idre Fjall, Sweden (financial reasons); Georgia (withdrawal by organizers); and Almaty, Kazakhstan (organizational issues). FIS cited unsuitable natural and winter conditions, along with limited travel options and airport constraints in the region, for the latest decision. Azerbaijan borders Iran, which has faced attacks since February 28, though FIS did not directly reference the war.
