A thrilling new champion emerged in the men’s freestyle skiing big air competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, held amidst heavy snowfall in Livigno, Province of Sondrio. Norway’s Tormod Frostad clinched the gold medal with an impressive final run, showcasing remarkable skill and determination.
Team USA’s Mac Forehand, who entered the final with the best qualifying score, secured the silver medal with a total of 193.25 points. Forehand is no stranger to success on the international stage, having previously won silver in the men’s freeski slopestyle event at the 2025 Engadin competition. Moreover, he holds the title of reigning X Games champion and is a co-leader in the Big Air World Cup standings, further solidifying his reputation as a top contender in the sport.
While many anticipated strong performances from competitors such as Norway’s Birk Ruud, who had already secured gold in the ski slopestyle event at the Milan Cortina Games, Ruud unexpectedly finished in 8th place, highlighting the unpredictable nature of extreme sports.
Forehand was joined by fellow Team USA athletes Troy Podmilsak and Konnor Ralph, both first-time Olympians who exhibited impressive talent, finishing just shy of the podium in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
The event, taking place under challenging weather conditions, saw competitors tackle a massive 131-foot-high ramp illuminated by floodlights for the nighttime spectacle. Despite the heavy snow leading to the postponement of other scheduled competitions, the big air finals proceeded, showcasing the athletes’ resilience and passion for their sport.
The men’s freeski big air event serves as a testament to the dedication and skill of these athletes, as they propel themselves into the air to perform intricate aerial tricks and land expertly on the snowy slope below. With such exhilarating performances, the future of freestyle skiing looks promising, as new champions rise to the occasion on the Olympic stage.