THE FACTS
Megan Oldham put on a composed, technically bold performance to win Olympic gold in women’s ski big air at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 16, 2026. After a weather delay, she finished with a two-jump total of 180.75, edging China’s Eileen Gu, who tallied 179.00.
The final was paused for about 75 minutes as strong winds and blowing snow made the course unsafe. Athletes had three runs each; the best two scores were combined to decide the podium.
HOW THE FINAL UNFOLDED
When the contest resumed, Oldham landed two heavy-hitting tricks in difficult conditions. Her opening counted run was a switch double cork 1260 with a safety grab — she took off backward and stuck the landing for a 91.75, which put her near the top early on. Her other scoring jump, a double cork 1260 with a mute grab, earned 89.00. Those two marks added up to her winning 180.75.
With the lead effectively clinched, Oldham treated her third attempt as a controlled finish rather than a must-score gamble. Throughout the delay and between runs, athletes used the pause to warm up, retune mentally and consult coaches about wind and snow conditions.
THE PODIUM AND NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Eileen Gu pushed Oldham all the way. Gu opened with a right double cork 1440 and closed with another clean trick to finish at 179.00; the two shared a sportsmanlike embrace on course after the final. Italy’s Flora Tabanelli took bronze with 178.25 — a remarkable comeback after recovering from a torn ACL earlier in the season. On her final counted run Tabanelli landed a left double 1620, a high-difficulty trick that sealed her place on the podium.
Canada had another bright spot: Naomi Urness placed sixth in her first Olympic appearance. Oldham’s big air gold follows the slopestyle bronze she already claimed at these Games, making her one of Canada’s multi-medalists here.
SCORING AND FORMAT — A REMINDER
Big air gives each competitor three attempts; judges score tricks for difficulty and execution, and the two best scores are combined. The format rewards consistency as much as a single spectacular jump — which is exactly what decided the top spots in Livigno.
INJURIES, WITHDRAWALS AND THE FIELD
The lineup for the final was reshaped by several pre-event injuries and late withdrawals. Two Swiss athletes, Mathilde Gremaud and Anouk Andraska, pulled out after practice incidents — Gremaud with a hip complaint and Andraska with a wrist injury. Gremaud had been a pre-event favorite after defending a slopestyle crown earlier at these Games; team medics described contusions and soreness, and she was relieved there was no structural damage. Teams also altered planned runs after medical checks, with coaches and doctors urging caution on recent knee and ankle issues.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE SPORT
Sunday’s final underscored how quickly the technical bar is rising in women’s freeskiing. Athletes are attempting harder rotations and more complex grabs, narrowing the gap between triumphant landings and costly mistakes. Performances like Oldham’s will be used as benchmarks for the next Olympic cycle, and the injuries and withdrawals highlight ongoing conversations about training loads, safety in practice and competition scheduling.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Officials and teams remain focused on weather and athlete welfare as the freestyle program continues at Livigno. National federations and medical staff will issue further updates on athlete conditions and any formal appeals. Reporters on site will continue to monitor developments and relay official statements as they arrive.