Canadian skier Megan Oldham secured the gold medal in the freestyle big air competition at the Milan Cortina Games on February 12, 2024. Oldham triumphed over a competitive field, finishing the final with a combined score of 180.75 points from her two best jumps. Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu, representing China, took home the silver medal with a score of 179 points, while Italy’s Flora Tabanelli claimed bronze, marking a remarkable comeback just four months after recovering from an ACL tear.
Oldham’s victory marks her second medal at these Winter Games; she previously won bronze in the slopestyle event last week. This success adds to her growing reputation in freestyle skiing, following her impressive performance throughout the competition. In contrast, Gu, who made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics by becoming the first freestyle skier to earn three medals in a single Games, added another silver to her collection after winning slopestyle last week.
The competition saw Gu, who was born in the United States but competes for her mother’s native China, face off against Oldham in a thrilling final. Despite not having participated in a big air event since her victory in Beijing, Gu quickly adapted to the format, which shares similarities with slopestyle. Oldham, however, took control early in the final, securing her lead with her first two jumps. Although she fell on her third jump, it did not affect her overall score, allowing her to celebrate her win with a triumphant final attempt.
Finals Overview and Challenges
The finals originally included 12 competitors, but two Swiss skiers, Mathilde Gremaud and Anouk Andraska, were unable to compete due to injuries sustained during practice. Gremaud, who had defended her slopestyle gold just a week earlier, suffered a hip injury that necessitated her being taken off the course on a stretcher. Andraska injured her wrist, further impacting the field.
Each competitor in the big air event had three jumps, needing to land at least two to qualify for scoring. Points were awarded based on the difficulty and execution of their jumps. The finals were delayed for over an hour due to a heavy snowstorm, adding an extra layer of challenge to the already demanding event.
As the competition concluded, Oldham and Gu shared an emotional embrace before stepping onto the medal podium, reflecting the camaraderie and sportsmanship often seen in Olympic events. Oldham’s victory solidifies her status as a rising star in the sport, while Gu prepares for another opportunity to add to her medal tally in the upcoming halfpipe event on February 17, 2024.
The excitement of the Winter Olympics continues as athletes from around the world strive for excellence in their respective disciplines, capturing the attention of spectators and fans alike.
