Norwegian freestyle skier Birk Ruud is set to compete for his second Olympic gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. He will participate in the men’s Big Air final, aiming to defend his title.
Birk Ruud’s Path to the Final
Ruud has established himself as a formidable competitor. He finished third in the qualification round without utilizing his final attempt, which bodes well for his performance in the final. His confidence is bolstered by his previous success as the Slopestyle Olympic champion.
Top Competitors in the Big Air Final
- Mac Forehand (USA) – The reigning X Games champion, he secured the top spot in qualifications and leads the Big Air World Cup standings.
- Matej Svancer (Austria) – The Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic champion, Svancer aims for his first Olympic medal after finishing in second place in qualifications.
- Luca Harrington (New Zealand) – The reigning world champion, who qualified in fifth place, will be a strong contender.
- Tormod Frostad (Norway) – Ruud’s compatriot bounced back from an early fall to achieve the highest single-run score in the qualifications.
- Troy Podmilsak – The 2023 world champion and 2024 X Games champion, known for delivering outstanding performances under pressure.
The competition promises to be intense. With such a strong field, every competitor will need to perform at their best to secure a medal in Milan. Ruud’s experience and past achievements position him as a favorite for the gold.
