A sudden snowstorm caused a delay of 75 minutes for the women’s freeski big air final at the Milan Cortina Olympics, held at Livigno on Monday. Initially, organizers expected the final to start at 9 p.m. local time, a 90-minute delay from the original schedule. However, the competition commenced at 8:45 p.m., with surprisingly little snow remaining on the course after diligent efforts from workers who used shovels and portable snowblowers to clear the area.
Among the athletes competing were Canadians Megan Oldham and Naomi Urness. Oldham, who secured the top spot in qualifying, has already showcased her skills at the Olympics with a bronze medal performance in the women’s freeski slopestyle, displaying remarkable resilience after recovering from a crash during her second run on February 9.
The big air event is notorious for demanding high levels of skill and courage from its participants. Athletes build significant speed as they navigate a 55-meter jump, launching themselves off a five-meter-high kicker to execute complex tricks while reaching speeds of over 50 km/h.
Judges assess performances based on criteria such as difficulty, execution, amplitude, and landing precision. However, the competition took a toll on athletes, with two-time slopestyle champion Mathilde Gremaud being taken off the course on a stretcher due to a hip injury sustained during training. Gremaud had qualified third for the final. Additionally, Switzerland’s Anouk Andraska withdrew following a wrist injury from a training crash.
The event has seen its share of dangerous moments, highlighted by a severe crash involving teenage Finnish skier Elias Lajunen during qualifying, which required medical staff’s urgent attention after he landed hard and slid face down on the course.
Despite the challenging conditions and recent injuries, the determination of the athletes shining through the competition remains a testament to their resilience and commitment to showcasing their sport on such an esteemed global stage.