British snowboarding sensation Mia Brookes faced a thrilling yet nerve-wracking debut at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, a moment she cherished despite its challenges. Competing under the bright lights of Livigno Snow Park, the 19-year-old began her Big Air qualification with a shaky start. A mistake during her first run—a backside 1260—left her struggling to secure a place in the final.
However, Brookes displayed remarkable resilience and composure. With her world title, two X Games titles, and multiple Crystal Globes backing her formidable skills, she rebounded impressively. Stomping impressive scores of 89.00 and 78.00 in her next two attempts, she clinched third place overall, trailing only behind New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, the event’s winner, and Japan’s Kokomo Murase.
Brookes will now join two-time reigning Big Air Olympic champion Anna Gasser of Austria in what promises to be a highly competitive final. In her post-qualification comments, she expressed her excitement and acknowledgment of the pressure she faced. “That was brilliant, I absolutely loved it, but it was definitely quite scary,” she shared with reporters.
Reflecting on her performance, Brookes noted the importance of patience and focus: “After that first run, I was so nervous, but you just have to take your time at the top, not rush into anything. I think the athlete in me came out, keeping cool under pressure, not making any rash decisions and not rushing anything. So it was nice to see that come from inside myself.”
Brookes’ determination and ability to thrive under pressure bode well for her future in the sport, and fans eagerly await her next performance.