LIVIGNO, Italy — Alex Hall, the defending Olympic gold medalist, showcased his signature relaxed style even as he competed in the men’s freeski slopestyle final. Despite the weight of expectations, Hall remained unruffled, noting, “I got one. No one’s taking that for me. I don’t gotta defend nothing.”
On Tuesday, Hall put on a strong performance, finishing just shy of repeating his Olympic success, as he earned a score of 85.75—less than a point behind Norway’s Birk Ruud, who secured the gold with an impressive first-run score of 86.28. New Zealand’s Luca Harrington completed the podium by taking bronze with a score of 85.15.
Although Hall was unable to clinch gold this time, he demonstrated his resilience throughout the competition. After struggling with a slip on his initial run, which earned him a modest score of 52.65, he quickly rebounded. Hall’s second run showcased his determination but ultimately fell short of Ruud’s high mark in a day filled with challenging weather as snow began to intensify.
Team USA’s Mac Forehand, a top qualifier, encountered difficulties, finishing 11th after falling in his first attempt. Meanwhile, Konnor Ralph delivered a commendable second run, scoring 66.76, lifting him to a ninth-place finish.
Hall, who made headlines four years ago in Beijing with a daring move that secured his gold medal, aimed for a repeat victory but found himself just outpaced by Ruud in Italy. Undeterred, Hall’s journey reflects the spirit of competition and camaraderie, as seen in his gracious post-event hug with Ruud. The event promises to be a stepping stone as Hall continues to push boundaries in the coming years.