The women’s freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Snow Park on February 10, 2026, showcased the razor-thin margins defining elite freestyle skiing. Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir, 21, produced a brilliant third run scoring 76.05 points—her best of the competition—only to finish fourth, 0.41 points behind Canada’s Megan Oldham for bronze. This heartbreaking result denied Team GB their first medal of the Milano Cortina Games but underlined Muir’s status as one of Britain’s brightest Winter Olympic hopes.
The Final’s Intense Competition
Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud successfully defended her Beijing 2022 title with a winning score, edging China’s Eileen Gu by a mere 0.38 points for gold. Gu, a global superstar and triple medallist from 2022, took silver despite crashing on her final run—a mistake that handed Gremaud breathing room for a celebratory victory lap, flag billowing.
Oldham secured bronze, holding off Muir’s late charge. The field demonstrated remarkable depth: top athletes separated by fractions, rewarding consistency across three runs.
Muir’s journey through the final encapsulated resilience. After qualifying third, she fell on the penultimate jump of her opening attempt, placing sixth after run two. Her decisive third run—clean, technical, and stylish—vaulted her up the standings but fell just short.
“I put it out there on every run,” Muir told BBC Sport. “I was proud to put one down… I struggled to accept how close it was, but I know I’ve got more in me.”
Kirsty Muir’s Olympic Path and Recovery
Competing in her second Olympics, Muir arrived as Britain’s youngest athlete in Beijing 2022 at 17, finishing fifth in big air and eighth in slopestyle. Post-Games success included three World Cup podiums, but a December 2023 MRI revealed a fully torn ACL—competed with unknowingly—plus shoulder issues requiring surgery in early 2024.
Eleven months later, Muir returned triumphant: maiden World Cup gold in Tignes (March 2025), followed by two more this season, plus X Games slopestyle gold and big air silver immediately pre-Olympics.
Her Livigno performance, despite the near-miss, affirms recovery and growth. “I need a moment to process,” she added. “I’ll find positives, reset—big air is completely different.”
Big air qualification begins February 15, offering another podium shot.
Women’s Freeski Slopestyle Final Results – Milano Cortina 2026
| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Best Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathilde Gremaud | Switzerland | Top | Defended Beijing 2022 title |
| 2 | Eileen Gu | China | Close 2nd | Crashed final run; global star |
| 3 | Megan Oldham | Canada | Bronze | Held off Muir by 0.41 points |
| 4 | Kirsty Muir | Great Britain | 76.05 | Strong third run; near-miss |
Broader Team GB Context
Muir’s result follows curling successes, with Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds reaching mixed doubles semis. Friend Mia Brookes qualified third for snowboard big air final (February 10, 18:30 GMT), adding British excitement.
Milano Cortina 2026, spanning February 6-22 across stunning Italian venues, celebrates winter sport’s innovation. Muir’s display—fourth by the slimmest margin—embodies Olympic spirit: pushing limits where fractions decide legacies.
As big air approaches, Muir carries momentum and determination. Her journey from injury setback to Olympic contender inspires, promising more thrilling moments for Team GB fans.
