Canada's Oldham Wins Big Air Gold, Britain's Muir Finishes Fourth Again

Canada's Megan Oldham has won the gold medal in the women's Big Air skiing event at the Winter Olympics. Kirsty Muir from Great Britain finished in fourth place, her second time in that position at these Games.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Event Summary

Megan Oldham of Canada secured the gold medal in the women's freestyle skiing Big Air event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The competition saw Kirsty Muir of Team GB finish in fourth place, marking her second near-medal finish of the Games. The event culminated with Oldham's victory after a dramatic final round where Muir's attempt to secure a podium spot resulted in a fall.

Muir fourth again after agonising tumble as Oldham wins big air gold for Canada - 1

Event Details

The women's Big Air final took place at the Livigno Snow Park. Kirsty Muir entered the final run in contention for a medal, holding a position that could have secured her bronze. Her final jump, a high-risk maneuver aiming for a significant score, resulted in a fall upon landing. This outcome confirmed Megan Oldham's gold medal victory, as she did not require her final jump to secure the win.

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Muir fourth again after agonising tumble as Oldham wins big air gold for Canada - 2

Chinese athlete Eileen Gu, who had already won a silver medal in slopestyle, also competed in Big Air and halfpipe, attempting to achieve medals in all three disciplines. Flora Tabanelli of Italy secured the bronze medal.

Muir fourth again after agonising tumble as Oldham wins big air gold for Canada - 3

Muir's fourth-place finish in Big Air follows her identical result in the women's slopestyle final held earlier in the week. Both performances represent her second fourth-place finish at these Games, leading to emotional reactions and a reflection on her Olympic experience.

Muir fourth again after agonising tumble as Oldham wins big air gold for Canada - 4

Kirsty Muir's Performance

  • Big Air: Muir achieved a combined score of 174.75 points from her best two runs. This placed her 3.5 points behind bronze medalist Flora Tabanelli. Her final jump was a decisive attempt to improve her standing, but an inability to land cleanly resulted in a fall.

  • Slopestyle: Muir also finished in fourth place in the women's slopestyle final, an event that took place one week prior to the Big Air final.

Key Athletes and Results

RankAthleteCountryScoreNotes
GoldMegan OldhamCanadaN/ASecured gold; did not need final jump to win
SilverEileen GuChinaN/AAlso competing in slopestyle and halfpipe
BronzeFlora TabanelliItalyN/A
4thKirsty MuirGreat Britain174.75Second fourth-place finish of the Games

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Note: Exact scores for gold and silver medalists were not consistently detailed across all sources in relation to the final standings.

Athlete Reactions

Kirsty Muir, upon finishing fourth, expressed a mix of emotions. Despite the disappointment of being close to a medal, she conveyed pride in her performance.

"I put it all on the line," Muir stated, referencing her final jump attempt. She also mentioned, "I’m really proud… I know I have more in me.” Muir had previously competed in the Beijing Olympics, finishing fifth as a 17-year-old.

Broader Context

Muir's performance highlights a trend of near-medal finishes for Team GB at these Games, as they sought to build on previous successes. The Big Air event itself featured high-level competition, with athletes attempting difficult tricks. Muir's chosen trick on her final jump was described as one of the most challenging in the sport.

Conclusion

Megan Oldham's victory in the women's Big Air event concluded a competition marked by intense performances and close outcomes. Kirsty Muir's second fourth-place finish of the Winter Olympics, a result that was both agonising and a testament to her skill, underscores the fine margins in elite freestyle skiing. Her ability to execute difficult maneuvers under pressure, even when a medal was not ultimately secured, is a notable aspect of her performance. The results suggest that while Team GB has skilled athletes capable of competing at the highest level, they are experiencing a pattern of being just outside the podium positions in key events.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the women's Big Air skiing gold medal?
Megan Oldham from Canada won the gold medal.
Q: How did Kirsty Muir perform?
Kirsty Muir from Great Britain finished in fourth place. This was her second fourth-place finish at the Games.
Q: Was Kirsty Muir close to winning a medal?
Yes, she was close to the bronze medal. She fell on her final jump while trying a difficult trick.
Q: What other events did Kirsty Muir compete in?
She also competed in the women's slopestyle event and finished in fourth place there too.