Megan Oldham Soars to Gold: Boosting Canada’s Medal Count at Milano Cortina 2026
The wait was well worth it for Megan Oldham. A sudden storm caused a delay of over an hour to the women’s ski big air competition at Livigno Snow Park on Monday at Milano Cortina 2026. “This weather came in harder than expected, so the break was difficult, trying to stay mentally focused and visualize my tricks,” explained Oldham. “But honestly, it didn’t hold anyone back from showcasing their best skiing today, which is awesome.”
Oldham faced an even longer wait, being the last competitor in each of Monday’s runs after topping the qualification round with a score of 171.75 – the only skier to achieve a score in the 90s. That patience proved pivotal. The 24-year-old delivered a strong first run and maintained momentum, securing gold and becoming Canada’s first-ever medallist in women’s big air.
While the delay on Monday was over an hour, Oldham admitted it felt like a four-year wait, referencing her fourth-place finish at Beijing 2022, where she missed the podium by a mere 5.5 points. “Beijing was heartbreaking,” she said. “Knowing I was among the top skiers, but just missing out, was tough. Coming into these Games, I was determined to change that.”
A Winning Performance
Oldham landed a switch double cork 1260 with safety grab on her first run, earning a score of 91.75. She followed it up with a double cork 1260 with mute grab for 89.00 on her second run, totaling 180.75 and securing the top spot. In big air, only the two best of three runs count towards the final score.
China’s Eileen Gu came closest to challenging Oldham, achieving a third-run score of 89.00 for a total of 179.00, earning her the silver medal. Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir, with a final chance to overtake Oldham, couldn’t land her jump, finishing fourth and solidifying Canada’s second gold medal of the Games. Italy’s Flora Tabanelli took bronze.
“In freestyle skiing, anything can happen,” Oldham acknowledged. “I focused on my tricks, knowing any of these athletes could win. It was about landing my best to be competitive.”
Double the Joy: Slopestyle Bronze and Big Air Gold
This marks the second medal for Oldham at Milano Cortina 2026, adding to her bronze in the women’s slopestyle. Despite a challenging crash in the slopestyle event, Oldham persevered. “I was determined to compete no matter what,” she said. “The first few days of big air training were painful – a hematoma on my quad left it seized up, but I was committed to showcasing my skiing.”
Oldham began skiing at five, but entered freestyle competitively at 14. This later start hasn’t hindered her success, as she’s been a consistent performer on the FIS World Championship and Winter X Games circuits. Her previous best at Worlds was a bronze in big air in 2023, now surpassed by Olympic gold.
“These Olympics have exceeded my wildest dreams,” Oldham exclaimed. “I hoped for one medal, but to win gold is beyond anything I imagined. I’m incredibly proud.”
Naomi Urness, also representing Canada, finished sixth in the big air competition with a total score of 168.75 in her Olympic debut.
Stay up-to-date with Team Canada’s performance at Milano Cortina 2026! Visit the Canadian Olympic Committee website for athlete profiles, sports results, and inspiring stories.
