Canadian freestyle skier Megan Oldham secured the gold medal in the big air event at the Milan Cortina Games on February 5, 2024, with a remarkable combined score of 180.75 points. Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu of China took home the silver with a score of 179 points, while Italy’s Flora Tabanelli earned bronze just four months after recovering from a torn ACL.
Oldham’s impressive performance in the ten-woman final marked her second medal at the Games, having previously won a bronze in slopestyle. This victory highlights her rapid rise in competitive freestyle skiing. The 24-year-old athlete celebrated her achievement in the company of Gu, with both skiers embracing before stepping onto the medal podium.
In the final, each skier performed a total of three jumps, needing to land at least two to qualify for scoring. The scores were determined based on the difficulty and execution of their jumps. Oldham clinched the gold with her first two solid jumps, even though she experienced a minor fall during her final attempt, which turned into a celebratory moment.
Gu, who became the first freestyle skier to win three medals in a single Olympic Games in 2022, faced challenges leading up to this event. After focusing on other events since her victory at the Beijing Games, she quickly regained her rhythm in big air, a discipline with similarities to slopestyle. Gu has a chance to add to her medal tally on February 10, 2024, when she attempts to defend her halfpipe gold.
The competition faced delays due to a snowstorm, pushing the final back by more than an hour. The initial field of twelve competitors was reduced to ten after Mathilde Gremaud and Anouk Andraska from Switzerland sustained injuries during warm-ups. Gremaud required a stretcher for her hip injury, while Andraska suffered a wrist injury.
As the Winter Olympics unfold, the competition continues to showcase thrilling performances and remarkable resilience among the athletes. Oldham’s achievement not only highlights her skill but also the competitive spirit of the event as she and Gu exemplify the dedication and passion that define Olympic sports.
