Eileen Gu once again demonstrated her prowess in winter sports by securing a silver medal in the women’s freeski slopestyle finals during the Winter Games held in Livigno, Italy. Competing fiercely, Gu faced her Olympic rival, Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud, the reigning gold medalist. After a strong start, Gu fell on the first rail during her third run, which ultimately denied her a gold medal for the second consecutive Winter Olympics.
Gu initially took the lead in her first run, but Gremaud edged past her on the second attempt. With the gold medal already in hand after Gu’s fall, Gremaud turned her final run into a celebratory victory lap, much to the delight of the crowd.
In this competition, 17-year-old Avery Krumme made history as the youngest competitor in the finals, representing Team USA. Although she finished 11th out of 11, Krumme showcased significant potential for her future Olympic pursuits. In her debut performance in the women’s slopestyle skiing event, she seemed cautious and only executed a single rotation on the final rail, scoring a best of 52.40 points. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic as she prepares to compete in the women’s big air event in the upcoming matches.
Krumme secured her place in the finals after an impressive second run in the qualifications that placed her fourth overall, making her the only woman on Team USA to advance. Meanwhile, Grace Henderson and Marin Hamill unfortunately did not qualify for the finals, finishing 15th and 16th in their respective heats.
Gu’s journey to the finals this year was fraught with challenges. During qualifications, she fell while attempting a 270-degree spin, which initially jeopardized her chances. Yet, she redeemed herself with a solid second-run performance scoring 75.30, landing her a spot in the finals among the top qualifiers. The course itself, particularly the first rail section, proved more demanding than typical World Cup courses, presenting a difficult challenge for the athletes.
The slopes in Livigno, tailored for Olympic competition, allow for jumps over 80 feet, and the big air competition stands over 160 feet tall, showcasing the advanced features of this cutting-edge venue. As the 2026 Winter Games mark the most widely distributed venues in history, athletes like Gu and Krumme are poised to make their mark on the global stage, inspiring future generations of winter sports enthusiasts.