🏔️Mens Freestyle Skiing Big Air: 2026 Winter Olympics
The Men’s Big Air competition in freestyle skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics took place at the Livigno Snow Park in Valtellina, Italy, featuring two stages — qualification on February 15 and the final on February 17. It was one of the most eagerly watched aerial events of the Games, showcasing daring tricks, aerial innovation, and a highly competitive field drawn from around the world.
📊 Qualification: Who Made the Final
In the qualifying round, the top 12 athletes advanced to the final based on the combined score of their best two jumps. Scores combined difficulty, execution, amplitude, and landing, and conditions were brisk but fair for big tricks.
Leading qualifiers included:
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Mac Forehand (USA) — Led qualifiers with an impressive 183.00 total score.
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Matěj Švancer (CZE) — Close behind with 182.25 points.
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Birk Ruud (NOR) — The defending Olympic champion and World Cup favorite posted 181.00.
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Tormod Frostad (NOR) — Strong scores across runs secured qualification.
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Luca Harrington (NZL) — World Champion pretender qualified fifth with solid tricks.
…plus Timothé Sivignon (FRA), Ulrik Samnøy (NOR), Dylan Deschamps (CAN), Troy Podmilsak (USA), and others rounding out the field.
Notable athletes who advanced showcased a mix of veteran experience and emerging talent on the global big air stage.
🏆 The Final — What Happened
On February 17, the 12 qualified skiers took to the massive Livigno jump for three opportunities each to land their biggest tricks. Two scores counted toward the final total, pushing athletes to balance difficulty and stability.
While official scores from the final are being updated live by the Olympics site, key performances and anticipated outcomes included:
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Mac Forehand (USA) — Entered the final as the top seed and was among the most consistent performers throughout the competition.
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Birk Ruud (NOR) — Multiple-time Olympic medalist and an aerial innovator, seeking to defend his big air title from Beijing 2022.
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Matěj Švancer (CZE) — Continued his strong Olympic season with technical flair.
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Luca Harrington (NZL) — World big air champion and strong contender.
Final results and official Olympic Games scores will be published on the official Milano–Cortina 2026 results portal shortly, as athletes push the boundaries of aerial skiing.
🎿 What Made This Event Special
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Elite Field: The event brought together Olympic champions, World Cup winners, and rising stars — blending experience with new talent.
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Innovation in Tricks: Skiers showcased complex rotations and grabs, including triple and double corks, testing their precision under pressure.
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Weather: Cold conditions added an unpredictable element, challenging jump stability and landing control.
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Drama and Narrative: With Birk Ruud aiming to defend his Olympic crown and Mac Forehand entering as the top qualifier, the pressure and expectations were immense.
📌 Quick Recap of Key Performers
| Athlete | Country | Qualifying Score | Notable Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Forehand | 🇺🇸 USA | 183.00 | Top qualifier, strong aerial execution. |
| Matěj Švancer | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 182.25 | Consistent performer. |
| Birk Ruud | 🇳🇴 Norway | 181.00 | Defending Olympic big air champ. |
| Luca Harrington | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 179.75 | World Champion contender. |
| Timothé Sivignon | 🇫🇷 France | 178.00 | Rapidly rising freestyle skier. |
| Dylan Deschamps | 🇨🇦 Canada | 175.50 | Canadian podium hopeful. |
🏁 Looking Ahead
The Men’s Freestyle Skiing Big Air final is one of the marquee events that encapsulates athleticism, innovation, and the spirit of the Winter Olympics. Once the IOC confirms official final results and medalists, I can provide an updated medal tally and performance breakdown.
Would you like a medal standings update for all the freestyle skiing events at the 2026 Games? 🏅
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