2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Freestyle Skiing Big Air Results and Medal Winners
The Men’s Freestyle Skiing Big Air final at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered one of the most electrifying contests of the Games. Held on February 17, 2026, at the spectacular Livigno Snow Park, the event featured triple corks, switch 1800s, and near-flawless landings that pushed the limits of
Olympic freestyle skiing.
By the end of the night, Norway’s Birk Ruud stood tall once again, successfully defending his Olympic Big Air crown and completing a rare double-gold performance.
Official Men’s Freeski Big Air Results
| Medal | Athlete | Country | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Birk Ruud | Norway | 189.50 |
| Silver | Mac Forehand | United States | 186.75 |
| Bronze | Matěj Švancer | Austria | 183.25 |
Searches for “Men’s ski big air Olympics 2026”, “Winter Olympics 2026 results”, and “Olympic highlights 2026” surged immediately after the final concluded.
Birk Ruud’s Double-Gold Moment
Birk Ruud delivered a masterclass under pressure.
Already a gold medalist in Slopestyle earlier in Milano Cortina, Ruud entered the Big Air final determined to defend his title from Beijing 2022. His combined score of 189.50 came from two near-perfect scoring runs featuring:
- Massive triple cork variations
- Clean switch landings
- Technical grab combinations
With this victory, Ruud joins an elite group of freestyle skiers who have won multiple Olympic gold medals in the same Games.
This performance firmly establishes him as one of the greatest names in freestyle skiing Olympics 2026 history.
Mac Forehand Pushes USA to Silver
Mac Forehand entered the final as the top qualifier and delivered when it mattered most.
His final jump was explosive, featuring high rotation and flawless control, earning him 186.75 points overall. Though narrowly short of gold, Forehand’s performance confirms the United States remains a dominant force in Olympic freestyle skiing.
The silver medal adds to Team USA’s strong showing in the 2026 Winter Olympics medals tally.
Austria’s Historic Bronze
Matěj Švancer made history by securing Austria’s first Olympic Big Air medal.
His technical precision and consistency across scoring runs earned him 183.25 points. Despite a strong late challenge from New Zealand’s Luca Harrington, Švancer held firm to claim bronze.
For Austria, this podium finish marks a significant milestone in the evolution of their freestyle skiing program.
High Drama at Livigno Snow Park
The final wasn’t without tension.
Wind conditions briefly delayed competition, adding psychological pressure for the finalists. However, the high-altitude Livigno course ultimately enabled some of the biggest tricks ever landed in Olympic Big Air.
Fans witnessed:
- Triple cork 1800s
- Switch 1800s
- High-amplitude grabs
- Near-perfect landings under pressure
This final will likely be remembered as one of the most technically advanced contests in Winter Olympic history.
Women’s Big Air Results (February 16, 2026)
The women’s final, held a day earlier, also delivered world-class performances.
| Medal | Athlete | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Megan Oldham | Canada |
| Silver | Eileen Gu | China |
| Bronze | Flora Tabanelli | Italy |
The back-to-back finals have become one of the standout storylines in Winter Olympics 2026 results coverage.
What This Means for the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Men’s Big Air final significantly impacts the broader 2026 Winter Olympics schedule and results landscape:
- Norway strengthens its medal table position.
- USA adds another silver in freestyle events.
- Austria celebrates a breakthrough Olympic podium.
Freestyle skiing has become one of the most dynamic and youth-driven disciplines at the Games, attracting massive global viewership and social media engagement.
Slopestyle vs Big Air – What’s the Difference?
Many fans searching for “Men’s Slopestyle Olympics 2026” are curious about how it differs from Big Air.
- Slopestyle: Athletes perform multiple tricks across rails and jumps in a single run.
- Big Air: Competitors perform one massive jump per run, with judges scoring difficulty, execution, amplitude, and landing.
Ruud’s double gold highlights his dominance across both formats.
Final Thoughts
The Men’s Freeski Big Air final at Milano Cortina 2026 was more than just another Olympic event. It was a showcase of progression, courage, and technical mastery.
Birk Ruud’s double-gold achievement places him among Olympic greats. Mac Forehand’s silver confirms USA’s depth in freestyle skiing. Matěj Švancer’s bronze signals Austria’s rising presence.
