Valentino Guseli's Olympic Big Air: Fluke or Future Champion? Shock Entry Stuns!

Valentino Guseli admits he 'shouldn't have even been here' in the Olympic Big Air final. Was his 10th-place finish a lucky break or a glimpse of future glory? His fairytale run ended, but his Olympic story is just beginning.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Australia |

The Uninvited Guest Who Dazzled, Then Disappeared

The roar of the crowd, the blinding lights, the immense pressure of the Olympic arena – for Valentino Guseli, it was a stage he almost never graced. Australia's young snowboarder, a surprise late entrant into the men's big air final, delivered a performance that was part shock, part spectacle, and ultimately, part a story of what might have been. He landed in 10th place, a respectable finish given his improbable journey, but one that leaves us asking: was this a lucky break, or the dawn of a new Aussie contender? Guseli himself admitted, with a disarming mix of relief and self-reflection, that he "shouldn't have even been here." A sentiment that speaks volumes about the chaotic circumstances that propelled him into the spotlight.

The Accidental Olympian: A Cascade of Call-Ups

Valentino Guseli's Olympic big air campaign is less a carefully plotted strategy and more a narrative straight out of a sports movie script. His path to the final was paved not with gold medals, but with the misfortune of others.

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  • The Late Entry: Guseli, a 20-year-old talent, was initially the first alternate for the big air event. This means he was on standby, ready to compete only if someone else pulled out.

  • A Rival's Fall: The crucial turn of events occurred when Canadian star Mark McMorris, a seasoned competitor, suffered a serious crash during training, casting doubt on his ability to participate.

  • The Eleventh Hour: With just four hours before the qualification round, Guseli received the call-up. This wasn't a leisurely preparation; it was an instant plunge into the high-stakes world of Olympic competition. As Article 6 states, confirmation of his elevation came "approximately three hours before it started."

  • "Send It" Dad: Fueling his audacious attempt was his father's advice: "send it." This seemingly simple encouragement to give it his all, especially on the final, crucial jumps, highlights the emotional weight and personal drive behind his performance. Article 5 quotes Guseli saying, "The shred gods were with me tonight," a phrase that captures the almost surreal nature of his inclusion.

"I can’t really be too disappointed — I shouldn’t say that,” Guseli remarked after the final. “Obviously it’s the Olympics, you take it seriously.”\— Valentino Guseli (Article 1)

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His journey to the final, marked by uncertainty and a last-minute scramble, begs the question: how much of this remarkable run was pure chance, and how much was a testament to Guseli's raw talent and resilience under immense pressure?

The Big Air Arena: A High-Stakes Spectacle

The men's snowboard big air event is a breathtaking display of athleticism, where riders launch themselves off colossal ramps, often soaring over 50 meters, performing intricate aerial maneuvers. The scoring system is a blend of difficulty, execution, and landing. In the finals, typically 12 competitors vie for medals, with their two best scores from three jumps counting towards their total.

Valentino Guseli's 'massive personal win' during big air final - 1

Here's a look at the key players and outcomes from the event:

AthleteCountryRankKey Performance Notes
Kira KimuraJapan1stWon gold with a stunning final run, securing Japan's first-ever Olympic gold in the event.
Ryoma KimataJapan2ndBattled for victory, showing strong performances.
Su YimingChina3rdDefending Olympic champion, securing a podium finish.
Valentino GuseliAustralia10thSurprised many by reaching the final, finishing 10th after a rollercoaster performance.
Anna GasserAustriaN/A(Mentioned as a previous champion, not a direct competitor in this men's event)
Zoi Sadowski-SynnottNew ZealandN/A(Mentioned as a previous champion, not a direct competitor in this men's event)

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  • The Pressure Cooker: Guseli's path through qualification was fraught with tension. After struggling on his first two jumps, he needed a spectacular third run to advance, a challenge he met with a stunning performance. Article 4 highlights this turnaround, stating he "grabbed a last-second chance and somehow turned it into a spot in the men’s snowboard big air final."

  • Close Contention: The final itself was a nail-biting affair. World champion Ryoma Kimata even had a chance to snatch victory on his final run. Double Olympic champion Eileen Gu faced pressure after an initial slip but recovered impressively.

How does Guseli's 10th-place finish stack up against the elite, especially considering he was an unexpected participant? Did his impressive qualification run set unrealistic expectations, or did it reveal genuine medal potential?

The "Fairytale" Falters: A Tenth-Place Reality

While Valentino Guseli's journey to the big air final was nothing short of a fairytale, the ending saw him fall short of the podium. Despite a dazzling second run that saw him momentarily climb into contention, his inability to consistently land difficult tricks across all three attempts ultimately placed him in 10th position.

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  • The Struggle to Land: Guseli struggled to "stick the landing" on two of his jumps, a critical component of the scoring. This inconsistency meant he couldn't match the top performers who flawlessly executed their high-difficulty maneuvers.

  • A Flash of Brilliance: However, his second run was a standout moment. Described as "stunning" in Article 2, it demonstrated the raw talent and flair that had propelled him into the final against the odds. He managed to secure a score that kept him in the mix, showing flashes of medal contention.

  • Olympic Experience vs. Raw Talent: The final showcased the vast experience of seasoned Olympians who, even after errors, could recover and produce the scores needed. Guseli's performance, while impressive for an underdog, highlighted the gap between raw potential and the consistent execution required at the absolute pinnacle of the sport.

"He flunked his second effort, meaning he had to produce something special in his third run — and he did not disappoint."\— Fox Sports (Article 2)

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What does this 10th-place finish signify for Guseli? Is it a valuable learning experience on the Olympic stage, or a missed opportunity that will haunt him?

Valentino Guseli's 'massive personal win' during big air final - 2

Beyond Big Air: The Halfpipe Hope

While the big air competition has concluded for Valentino Guseli, his Olympic story is far from over. His sights are now firmly set on the men's halfpipe, an event where he is considered a genuine medal threat.

  • A Different Discipline: Snowboard halfpipe requires a different skill set than big air. Riders perform tricks in a U-shaped channel, judged on amplitude, execution, difficulty, and progression.

  • Strong Medal Chance: Guseli is not just a hopeful in the halfpipe; he is a serious contender. Article 3 and Article 4 both mention his strong prospects in this discipline.

  • Teammate Power: He will be competing alongside Scotty James, another Australian who is a "raging title favourite" in the halfpipe. This provides Guseli with a strong domestic support system and a teammate to push the limits.

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"He will contest qualifying in the men's halfpipe on Thursday (AEDT) and is considered a strong medal chance alongside his teammate and raging title favourite Scotty James."\— ESPN (Article 3)

Given his unexpected success in qualifying for the big air final, what pressure does this place on Guseli to deliver in the halfpipe? Can he channel the "fairytale" momentum, or will the expectations prove too much? The halfpipe event is where the real test of his Olympic mettle might lie.

The Road Ahead: From Underdog to Contender?

Valentino Guseli's unexpected Olympic campaign in big air has etched his name into the annals of winter sports, albeit in a way no one quite anticipated. His journey from alternate to finalist was a masterclass in seizing opportunity, fueled by a potent mix of luck, advice from his father, and his own undeniable talent. While 10th place might not be the podium finish many hoped for, it's a significant achievement for a rider who "shouldn't have even been here."

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The question now is, what does this experience mean for Guseli's future?

  • Olympic Experience: Competing in an Olympic final, even as a late entrant, provides invaluable experience under the highest pressure. This exposure is crucial for any developing athlete aiming for consistent success on the world stage.

  • Halfpipe Potential: His strong prospects in the halfpipe offer a tangible opportunity for Australia to secure a medal. Can he leverage the confidence gained from his big air run, or will the pressure of being a medal favourite become a hurdle?

  • Media Scrutiny: Guseli has already captured the attention of media and fans alike. This increased visibility comes with both opportunities and challenges, requiring him to navigate the complexities of public expectation.

Guseli's improbable big air journey, while ending outside the medals, has amplified his profile and underscored his potential, setting the stage for a compelling bid in the halfpipe event.

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His admission that he "can't really be too disappointed" despite the Olympic stage speaks to a maturity and a forward-looking perspective. For Guseli, this Olympic appearance wasn't just about winning a medal; it was about proving he belongs, about embracing the unexpected, and about laying the groundwork for future triumphs. The true measure of his Olympic story may well be written in the halfpipe, where he carries the hopes of a nation and the weight of a genuinely astonishing turn of events.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Valentino Guseli even make it to the Olympic Big Air final?
Guseli was the first alternate and only got into the final with just four hours' notice after a rival withdrew due to injury.
Q: Was Guseli's performance a fluke or a sign of future success?
While he finished 10th, his stunning qualification run and presence in the final against all odds suggest immense raw talent, setting high expectations for his halfpipe event.
Q: What's next for Valentino Guseli after Big Air?
Guseli is now focusing on the men's halfpipe, where he is considered a strong medal contender alongside teammate Scotty James, carrying Australia's hopes.