Austrian snowboard legend Anna Gasser is set to conclude her remarkable Olympic career at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, aiming to add to her already impressive medal collection from her fourth and final appearance at the Games. The two-time Olympic Big Air champion has not only secured gold during her Olympic endeavors but has also claimed four X Games Big Air titles and achieved 10 World Cup victories. Although recently hampered by injury, Gasser showcased her resilience by securing a podium finish in slopestyle at the Laax Open World Cup in January, signaling her return to form.
Joining her in the quest for Olympic glory will be New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, who is determined to capture the one missing Olympic Big Air medal from her repertoire. With a silver medal from Beijing 2022 and a bronze from PyeongChang 2018 already to her name, Sadowski-Synnott has expanded her skills, now featuring the backside triple cork 1440, which earned her silver at the 2026 X Games Big Air.
Another exciting contender emerging on the Olympic scene is British teenager Mia Brookes. With her recent accolades including back-to-back Big Air Crystal Globe wins and a notable victory at the Beijing World Cup, Brookes also secured a bronze medal at the 2026 X Games, positioning her as a serious medal prospect for the Games.
The excitement continues with Japan’s formidable presence in women’s Big Air, as evidenced by an all-Japanese podium at the season-opening World Cup. Fukada Mari led the lineup, showcasing the country’s strength in this discipline. This feat mirrored the performance at the 2025 World Championships, where Beijing 2022 bronze medalist Murase Kokomo triumphed ahead of Iwabuchi and Fukada. Murase arrives at Milano Cortina 2026 in exceptional form after capturing the 2026 X Games Big Air gold and executing the unprecedented backside 1620 triple cork, a groundbreaking achievement that cements her status as one of the most innovative riders in Big Air snowboarding.
With such a competitive field and thrilling stories, the upcoming Olympic Winter Games are poised to be unforgettable, highlighting the remarkable talent and dedication of these elite athletes.