Megan Oldham made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by winning the gold medal in women’s freestyle big air. The 24-year-old athlete from Parry Sound, Ontario, scored a stunning 180.75 points with her top two runs, narrowly defeating Chinese skier Eileen Gu, who scored 179 points.
Significant Olympic Achievement
This victory marks Oldham as the third Canadian athlete to win multiple medals at the current Olympics, adding to her earlier bronze medal in women’s slopestyle. She expressed immense joy after the event, stating, “It feels incredible. I’m still trying to process it all. It’s been such a dream of mine.”
Medal Count for Canada
With Oldham’s gold, Canada has amassed 11 total medals in these Games. Other notable Canadian Olympic medalists include:
- Mikaël Kingsbury – dual moguls gold and moguls silver
- Courtney Sarault – team silver in mixed relay, 1,000m silver, and 500m bronze
Oldham’s Path to Victory
On February 9, Oldham captured her first Olympic medal by finishing third in slopestyle. Reflecting on her previous performance in Beijing 2022, where she finished fourth in big air, she stated, “I definitely felt like I left that Games a bit hungry to show more at this next Games.”
Competition Details
During Monday’s big air competition, Oldham demonstrated remarkable skill despite a 75-minute weather delay. She began with a switch double cork 1260, scoring 91.75 points to secure a temporary silver position. In her second run, she executed a flawless double cork 1260 with a mute grab, boosting her score to 180.75 points and ultimately taking the lead.
Final Results and Other Competitors
Oldham’s third run was a victory lap after her solid performance, culminating in a noticeable fall that had no impact on her leading score. Flora Tabanelli of Italy secured the bronze medal, scoring 178.25 points, four months after recovering from an ACL injury.
- First place: Megan Oldham (Canada) – 180.75 points
- Second place: Eileen Gu (China) – 179 points
- Third place: Flora Tabanelli (Italy) – 178.25 points
Naomi Urness, Oldham’s teammate from Mont-Tremblant, also competed, finishing sixth in her Olympic debut. Earlier in the season, Urness achieved multiple podium finishes in World Cup events, showcasing her potential for future competitions.
Looking Ahead
Megan Oldham’s Olympic success reaffirms her status as a rising star in freestyle skiing. With over 11 career World Cup podiums and this monumental gold medal victory, she has established a solid foundation for future achievements.
Her story serves as an inspiration for athletes across Canada and beyond, exemplifying the dedication and spirit required to excel on the world stage.
