Tension Mounts as Athletes Vie for Olympic Supremacy
The Winter Olympics 2026 women's freeski slopestyle final was a high-stakes event, culminating in a dramatic showdown. Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland secured the gold medal, while Eileen Gu, representing China, took silver. The outcome was decided on Gu's final run, where a mistake on the first rail dashed her hopes of claiming the top spot. This result continues a trend of close competition between the two athletes.
Event Timeline and Key Participants
The women's freeski slopestyle final occurred on Monday, February 9th, 2026, as part of the Winter Olympics 2026 events in Milan-Cortina. The competition featured prominent athletes such as:
Mathilde Gremaud (Switzerland): The eventual gold medalist, defending her title.
Eileen Gu (China): The silver medalist, seeking to add another gold to her collection.
Megan Oldham (Canada): Secured the bronze medal.
Liu Mengting (China)
Lara Wolf (Austria)
Performance Breakdown and Scores
The competition involved three runs for each athlete, with the best score determining their final standing.
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| Athlete | Run 1 Score | Run 2 Score | Run 3 Score | Best Score | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathilde Gremaud | Not detailed | 86.96 | Not detailed | 86.96 | Gold |
| Eileen Gu | 86.58 | 23.00 | Fell | 86.58 | Silver |
| Megan Oldham | Not detailed | Not detailed | Not detailed | 76.46 | Bronze |
Gremaud's winning run was achieved on her second attempt, a near-flawless performance.
Gu's initial run was strong, scoring 86.58, which placed her in a leading position. However, subsequent runs were impacted by errors.
Gu's second run saw her wobble on a rail, resulting in a low score of 23.00.
Gu's final run was cut short when she fell on the first rail, a critical error that ended her medal aspirations for gold.
Gremaud's Defensive Masterclass
Mathilde Gremaud demonstrated exceptional skill and composure. Her second run score of 86.96 proved to be the decisive factor. Notably, after Gu's fall on her final run, Gremaud was able to complete her own third run as a victory lap, embracing her win with a Swiss flag. This win marks her second consecutive Olympic slopestyle gold medal, a significant achievement in freestyle skiing.
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Gu's Near Miss and Future Prospects
Eileen Gu came close to securing another Olympic gold, having led after the first run. Her silver medal performance, however, was marred by mistakes in her subsequent attempts. Despite the disappointment, Gu is reported to have embraced her teammates after her final run and remains focused on other events, including defending her Olympic titles in big air and halfpipe. Her performance in slopestyle adds to her already impressive collection of Olympic medals.
Broader Swiss Success and Competition Landscape
The success of Mathilde Gremaud contributed to a strong showing for Switzerland at the Winter Olympics 2026. Another Swiss athlete, Franjo von Allmen, had previously won gold in the men's downhill event, highlighting Switzerland's prowess in winter sports. The slopestyle final showcased a clear gap between the top contenders and the rest of the field, with Canadian Megan Oldham taking bronze significantly behind Gremaud and Gu.
Conclusion and Implications
The women's freeski slopestyle final at the Winter Olympics 2026 was a captivating display of athletic talent and the inherent drama of competitive sports. Mathilde Gremaud's victory, built on a solid second run, reaffirms her status as a top competitor. Eileen Gu's second-place finish, despite leading initially, underscores the fine margins and unforgiving nature of the sport. Both athletes' performances, along with the strong showing from Switzerland, provide a compelling narrative for the ongoing Games. Gu's focus will now shift to other disciplines, where she has the opportunity to further solidify her Olympic legacy.
Sources Used:
The Guardian: Provides a live update with immediate reporting on the event's conclusion.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/09/winter-olympics-2026-live-day-three
ESPN: Offers a detailed account of the final runs and scores, focusing on the duel between Gremaud and Gu.
The Star: Mirrors ESPN's reporting, emphasizing Gu's final run mistake and Gremaud's consistent performance.
The New York Times (Athletic): Places the slopestyle event within the broader context of Day 3 of the Olympics, noting Swiss success.
Le Monde (Sport): Confirms Gremaud's victory over Gu and notes other event schedules.
NBC News: Mentions Gu's mistake on her second run and provides other live updates from the Games.
Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/live-blog/2026-winter-olympics-live-updates-rcna256600
Los Angeles Times: Reports on Gu's fall in the final run and other Olympic highlights, including Italian medal wins.
BBC Sport: Lists key results from earlier in the Games, including Von Allmen's gold and mentions freestyle skiing finals.
Link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/live/c0keyj1l482t
Olympics.com: Offers a detailed recap of the final, highlighting the "thrilling Beijing rematch" and Gremaud's achievement of defending her title.
L'Équipe: Confirms Gremaud's win and notes Megan Oldham's bronze, providing context on Gremaud's birthday and the structure of the competition.
Le Monde (English): Reports on Swiss racer Von Allmen winning the first gold, placing the slopestyle event later in the Olympic schedule.
Franceinfo: Provides a video link to relive the event and mentions other opening ceremony and event highlights.
Ouest-France: Details Gremaud's win, her score, and Gu's past performance in Beijing, noting the gap between the top two and the rest of the field.
USA Today: A low-priority source, indicating the event was covered but the extraction was not a primary focus.
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