Mathilde Gremaud Secures Back-to-Back Olympic Gold in Women’s Freestyle Slopestyle
Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud has once again claimed the Olympic title in women’s freestyle slopestyle skiing, solidifying her dominance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The victory, secured on Monday in Livigno, Italy, marks the second consecutive Olympic gold medal for Gremaud, besting a formidable challenge from China’s Eileen Gu.
Gremaud’s Historic Performance
Gremaud celebrated a near-birthday gift, delivering three spectacular runs that surpassed even the high standard set by Gu during the first round. The Swiss champion’s performance culminated in a winning score of 86.96, narrowly exceeding Gu’s initial score of 86.58. She finished her final run draped in the Swiss flag, having already secured the gold.
In a groundbreaking moment for the sport, Gremaud initiated the final with the first-ever successful execution of a nose butter double cork 1260 by a woman. This complex trick involves pressing the tips of the skis on takeoff to initiate a spin, followed by two off-axis, inverted flips combined with three-and-a-half horizontal rotations.
Gu Falls Short in Pursuit of Gold
Eileen Gu, the 22-year-old double Olympic champion, aimed to upgrade her Beijing 2022 silver medal to gold. Gu established an early lead with impressive tricks on the rails and stunning jumps, but a stumble during her second run on the beautifully sculpted piste jeopardized her chances. Hoping to reclaim the lead with a strong final run, Gu unfortunately tumbled shortly after the start, effectively ending her bid for the top spot.
“I had nothing left to prove after my two gold and one silver medal from Beijing,” Gu stated last week, acknowledging her previous achievements. She will now focus on defending her titles in the big air and halfpipe events later in the Games.
Oldham Earns Bronze Despite Early Setback
Canada’s Megan Oldham, 24, secured the bronze medal despite a significant crash during her second run. Demonstrating resilience, Oldham rebounded with a solid third run, navigating the rails and executing acrobatic jumps to achieve a final score of 76.46.
A Celebration of International Sport
The medal ceremony was a vibrant display of international camaraderie, with the flags of Switzerland, China, and Canada waving in unison as loud music and cheers filled the air. Britain’s Princess Anne, a former Olympic equestrian, had the honor of presenting the medals to the triumphant athletes.
The competition underscored the growing intensity and technical skill within women’s freestyle slopestyle skiing, promising continued excitement as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games progress.
