Canadian Skier Secures Second Medal, Earns Top Spot in Big Air Competition
Megan Oldham, a 24-year-old freestyle skier from Canada, has secured the gold medal in the women's big air event at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. This victory marks her second medal of the Games, adding to a bronze she previously earned in the slopestyle competition. Oldham's performance in the big air final saw her achieve a combined score of 180.75 points across her best two of three runs, narrowly surpassing China's Eileen Gu, who took silver with 179.00 points. Italy's Flora Tabanelli secured the bronze medal with a score of 178.25. This win is Canada's second gold medal of the ongoing Winter Games.
Context of the Competition
The women's freestyle skiing big air final took place on Monday at Livigno Snow Park. A field of twelve competitors was initially slated, but two athletes, Mathilde Gremaud and Anouk Andraska from Switzerland, withdrew prior to the event due to injuries sustained in training. Gremaud, a two-time slopestyle champion, reportedly suffered a hip injury.
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Oldham’s path to gold included a strong performance in qualifying, where she finished in first place. In the final, she posted her leading scores on her first two runs. While she fell on her final attempt, her earlier scores were sufficient to maintain her lead. Great Britain's Kirsty Mair had an opportunity to surpass Oldham on her final run but fell, solidifying Oldham's gold medal position.
This is Megan Oldham's second Olympic medal. She previously earned a bronze in the women's slopestyle event, overcoming a difficult second run that involved a crash. Her performance at these Games is a notable improvement from her previous Winter Olympics in Beijing, where she placed fourth in big air and thirteenth in slopestyle.
Key Performances and Results
The competition saw Megan Oldham (Canada) emerge as the winner with a total score of 180.75. Eileen Gu (China) secured the silver medal with 179.00, with her final run being crucial in her ascent to second place after a less successful second run. Flora Tabanelli (Italy) completed the podium, earning bronze with 178.25. Other notable competitors included Kirsty Muir (Great Britain) in fourth place (174.75) and Lara Wolf (Austria) in fifth (169.75).
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| Athlete | Country | Big Air Score | Slopestyle Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Oldham | Canada | 180.75 | Bronze |
| Eileen Gu | China | 179.00 | No info |
| Flora Tabanelli | Italy | 178.25 | No info |
| Kirsty Muir | Great Britain | 174.75 | No info |
| Lara Wolf | Austria | 169.75 | No info |
Note: "No info" indicates that medal information for other disciplines was not consistently available across all reports for these athletes.
International Standings and National Tally
With Oldham's gold medal, Canada has now accumulated 11 medals at the Milan-Cortina Games, consisting of two gold, four silver, and five bronze medals. Mikael Kingsbury had previously won Canada's first gold medal in the dual moguls event.
For China, Eileen Gu's silver medal in big air adds to her collection, though it represents a missed opportunity for a gold medal in this discipline. This result means China has yet to secure a gold medal in Italy during these Games.
Competitor Dynamics and Pre-Event Factors
The withdrawal of Swiss athletes Mathilde Gremaud and Anouk Andraska altered the competitive landscape. Gremaud’s absence was particularly notable, given her status as a two-time slopestyle champion. Her injury in training meant a significant contender was out of the running.
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Eileen Gu's performance in the final was a demonstration of resilience. After a shaky second run, her strong final effort secured her the silver medal, preventing a potential outcome where she might have missed the podium altogether. Her position as a global brand ambassador for luxury products highlights her international profile, making her performances a focal point of media attention.
Athlete Background and Previous Achievements
Megan Oldham, hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, is now a multi-time Olympian. Her bronze medal in slopestyle earlier in the Games was hard-fought, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure. Her prior Olympic appearance in Beijing saw her finish fourth in big air, making her current gold medal a significant personal and national achievement. Her improvement from fourth place to first signifies a considerable progression in her competitive career.
Expert and Media Commentary
Reports indicate that Oldham's victory was a noteworthy event, celebrated for adding to Canada's medal count. The outcome was seen as a personal triumph for Oldham, particularly in avenging her fourth-place finish in the same event four years prior. The defeat of Eileen Gu, a prominent figure in the sport, also garnered attention, underscoring the competitive nature of the event.
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Conclusion and Implications
Megan Oldham's gold medal in the women's big air competition is a significant achievement for Canadian skiing and a highlight of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Her second medal of the Games underscores her consistent high-level performance. The results provide a tangible boost to Canada's medal tally and national pride.
The competition itself highlighted the unpredictable nature of elite sports, with injuries impacting the field and dramatic final runs determining medal placements. Eileen Gu's silver medal, while a strong performance, did not meet the expectation of gold for China, adding a layer of narrative to the event. For Oldham, this gold medal represents a culmination of dedication and a notable step forward in her athletic career, especially given her previous near-misses on the Olympic podium.
Sources Used:
CBC Sports: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/freestyle-skiing/olympics-freestyle-skiing-big-air-9.7091397 (Published 22 minutes ago)
Globalnews.ca: https://globalnews.ca/news/11669824/oldham-wins-gold-in-freestyle-skiing-big-air/ (Published 21 hours ago)
National Post: https://nationalpost.com/sports/olympics/megan-oldham-canada-second-gold-medal-skiing-big-air (Published 21 hours ago)
France24: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260216-canada-s-oldham-wins-olympic-freeski-big-air-final-denying-gu-gold (Published 21 hours ago)
Sportsnet: https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/canadas-megan-oldham-wins-olympic-freeski-big-air-gold/ (Published 21 hours ago)
The Star: https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics-and-paralympics/canadian-freestyle-skier-megan-oldham-wins-gold-in-big-air-for-second-olympic-medal/article8cf19d24-65a9-5530-85e1-0c4adc4a24d0.html (Published 21 hours ago)
Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25397582-womens-freestyle-skiing-results-olympics-2026-big-air-medal-winners (Published 21 hours ago)
The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-winter-olympics-2026-megan-oldham-big-air-medal-eileen-gu/ (Published 21 hours ago)
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Note: CTV News article summary was omitted due to irrelevance and commercial content.Note: TSN article summary was omitted due to irrelevance and lack of specific event details.
