Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland has successfully defended her Olympic freeski slopestyle gold medal, finishing ahead of China's Eileen Gu in a closely contested final. Gu, who was aiming for a historic treble, secured the silver medal. The event took place in Livigno, Italy, on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Final Run Decides Gold Medal Outcome
The women's freeski slopestyle final saw a direct duel between Gremaud and Gu, who had also finished first and second at the previous Winter Games.
Gremaud's winning score was 86.96, achieved on her second of three runs.
Gu's best score was 86.58, also recorded on her first run.
Gu needed a high score on her final attempt to overtake Gremaud but made a significant error early in the run.
The outcome hinged on the athletes' final runs, with Gu's mistake on her last attempt securing the gold for Gremaud.
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Event Progression and Key Performances
The final competition involved the top 12 skiers, including Kirsty Muir of Great Britain, who placed fourth, and Megan Oldham of Canada, who took bronze with a score of 76.46.
Eileen Gu initially took the lead in the competition with her first-run score of 86.58.
Mathilde Gremaud responded on her second run, posting a score of 86.96 to move into first place.
Gu's final run, intended to surpass Gremaud's score, saw her falter on the first rail, effectively ending her medal hopes for gold.
This marks the second consecutive Winter Games where Gremaud has won slopestyle gold, with Gu finishing second.
Analysis of Critical Moments
The decisive moment occurred during Eileen Gu's final run. The pressure was high, as she knew she needed a substantial score to unseat Gremaud from the top position.
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Reports indicate that Gu "skittered off the first rail and toppled to her side" or made a mistake "at the top of the course," which resulted in a low score for that run.
This error allowed Gremaud to cruise down the course on her final run, draped in a Swiss flag, in a victory lap, knowing she had secured the gold medal.
Gu's struggles on the rails in her final runs were noted, with similar issues observed in her qualifying run two days prior.
The precision required in freeski slopestyle means even minor errors on complex obstacles can significantly impact scores.
Broader Context and Implications
This result ends Eileen Gu's bid for a historic "golden treble" at these Winter Games, as she still has two other events to compete in. Mathilde Gremaud, meanwhile, has solidified her position as a dominant force in freeski slopestyle.
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Gremaud's victory marks her fourth career Olympic medal, making her the first freestyle skier to achieve this distinction.
She has now won two Olympic gold medals in slopestyle and holds multiple World Championship titles.
Gu, despite missing out on gold in slopestyle, has further opportunities to add to her medal count in upcoming events.
Gremaud's consistent performance and ability to perform under pressure were evident, while Gu's final run error prevented her from achieving a higher podium finish.
Sources
ESPN: Mathilde Gremaud denies Eileen Gu an Olympic slopestyle gold
Published shortly after the event, this article provides immediate results and key moments of the final.
TSN: Gremaud again denies Gu an Olympic gold medal in freeski slopestyle
This report offers a similar account of the final, emphasizing the repeated gold medal outcome for Gremaud over Gu.
The Guardian: Winter Olympics 2026: Mathilde Gremaud denies Gu for slopestyle gold, GB’s Muir fourth – live
A live blog format detailing the progression of the event, including other athletes like Kirsty Muir.
NBC New York: Mathilde Gremaud defends freeski slopestyle gold against Eileen Gu
This article details Gremaud's winning run and provides context on Gu's challenges in her final attempts.
France24: Gremaud ends Gu's Olympic treble bid with freeski slopestyle gold
Focuses on the impact of Gremaud's win on Gu's ambition for multiple gold medals.
Olympics.com: Winter Olympics 2026: Mathilde Gremaud tops qualification run in women's freeski slopestyle
Provides background on qualification results, mentioning Gremaud's strong performance leading up to the final.
NBC Olympics: Gremaud grips crown, grounds Gu in ski slopestyle gold defense showdown
Offers a narrative of the head-to-head competition, highlighting Gu's early lead and Gremaud's successful defense.
The New York Times (Athletic): Mathilde Gremaud won Olympic gold and felt ’empty,’ but now she’s chasing history
A biographical piece providing insight into Gremaud's mindset and career trajectory, published before the event.
USA Today: Eileen Gu fall clinches another Mathilde Gremaud gold in slopestyle duel
Emphasizes the decisive nature of Gu's fall on her final run and compares the outcome to the previous Olympics.
The Independent: Winter Olympics live: Kirsty Muir misses out on GB’s first medal in slopestyle skiing
A live coverage report that mentions Kirsty Muir's fourth-place finish.
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