Vernon’s Elena Gaskell made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Games in Italy, competing in the women’s Freeski Slopestyle event early Saturday morning. Gaskell, who became the first athlete from the Okanagan to represent Canada at these Olympics, faced challenges on the slopes, falling during both of her runs. She achieved a best score of 15.06, which placed her 23rd in the qualifying round—just shy of the top 12 needed to advance to the finals.
Despite the outcome, Gaskell maintained a positive attitude, sharing her experience on Instagram with her followers. “Couldn’t put a run down today but that’s how it goes sometimes,” she wrote. “Still hyped to be here and on my skiing this week. On to the next event.”
While Gaskell did not qualify for the finals, fellow Canadians Megan Oldham and Naomi Urness successfully advanced and will compete for medals in the finals scheduled for early Sunday morning.
The slopestyle event requires skiers to demonstrate skill and creativity as they maneuver through a course filled with various jumps and rails, with scores reflecting the innovation and quality of their tricks. Gaskell is set to compete again in the Freeski Big Air event next weekend, marking another opportunity for her to showcase her talent on an international stage.
This competition is particularly significant for Gaskell, who faced a tough road to these Olympics after tearing her ACL just one day before her anticipated debut in Beijing four years ago. Her perseverance and commitment to the sport embody the spirit of competition at the Olympic level, offering hope and inspiration to aspiring athletes.