Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026

Last updated: February, 17, 2026

Megan Oldham launched herself into Olympic history with a performance that combined technical precision, mental toughness, and four years of determination.

The 24-year-old from Parry Sound, Ontario scored 180.75 points to claim women’s freeski big air gold at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, edging defending champion Eileen Gu by just 1.75 points in one of the tightest finishes in Olympic freestyle skiing history[1][3].

Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026 represents more than just a victory—it’s a redemption story four years in the making, a testament to overcoming concussion setbacks, and a showcase of Canada’s rising dominance in freestyle skiing.

• Megan Oldham won Olympic big air gold with 180.75 points, defeating defending champion Eileen Gu (179.00) by 1.75 points[1][3]
• The Parry Sound native rebounded from a fourth-place finish at Beijing 2022 and a December 2025 concussion[2][3]
• Oldham also secured slopestyle bronze at Milan-Cortina, contributing two medals to Canada’s Olympic haul[2][4]
• Eileen Gu crashed during warmups, cracking her helmet, but recovered to win silver and become the most decorated woman in freestyle skiing history with five Olympic medals[3]
• The competition took place on a 165-foot scaffolding structure accessed by elevator at the Livigno venue[3]

Quick Answer

Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026 came down to execution under pressure. Oldham scored 180.75 points across her best runs in the three-attempt format, narrowly defeating Eileen Gu’s 179.00 and Italy’s Flora Tabanelli’s 178.25[1][3]. Her victory marked a dramatic progression from fourth place at Beijing 2022 and came just two months after a concussion threatened her Olympic preparation[2][3]. The win gave Canada its second freestyle skiing gold of the Games and boosted the nation’s medal momentum.

What Made Megan Oldham’s Big Air Performance Gold-Medal Worthy?

Oldham’s winning performance combined technical difficulty, execution precision, and strategic run management. She scored 180.75 points from her best runs in the three-attempt format, with her first two runs proving sufficient to secure gold without needing her third attempt[2].

Key elements of her winning performance:

• Technical mastery: Executed high-difficulty tricks with clean landings and minimal deductions
• Consistency: Both scoring runs demonstrated repeatable excellence rather than relying on a single perfect attempt
• Air awareness: Skills developed through gymnastics and figure skating translated into superior spatial orientation during rotations[3]
• Mental composure: Maintained focus despite competing against defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu
• Strategic execution: Secured winning scores early, reducing pressure on final run

The 1.75-point margin between Oldham and Gu demonstrates how razor-thin the margins are at elite big air competition[1][3]. At this level, landing precision, rotation completion, and style points all factor into scoring, with judges evaluating each element across multiple criteria.

Common mistake to avoid: Assuming big air is purely about rotation count. While difficulty matters, judges equally value execution quality, landing stability, and overall style. A slightly less difficult trick executed flawlessly often scores higher than a more complex trick with visible errors.

How Did Megan Oldham’s Journey to Olympic Gold Begin?

The path to Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026 started far from the slopes. Oldham transitioned to freestyle skiing from gymnastics and figure skating, encouraged by her older brother Bruce, who is also a professional freeskier[3].

Athletic progression timeline:

1. Early foundation: Gymnastics and figure skating built core skills
2. Sibling influence: Brother Bruce introduced her to competitive freeskiing
3. Skill transfer: “Air awareness, and spinning in general” from previous sports proved crucial[3]
4. Professional development: Progressed through competitive ranks to World Cup circuit
5. Olympic debut: Fourth-place finish at Beijing 2022 in big air
6. Redemption: Gold medal at Milan-Cortina 2026

Oldham’s background in gymnastics and figure skating provided advantages that pure skiing training cannot replicate. The spatial awareness developed through tumbling and ice spins translates directly to understanding body position during aerial rotations—a critical skill when executing 1440-degree spins 165 feet in the air[3].

Choose this path if: Athletes have strong foundational skills in rotation-based sports (gymnastics, diving, figure skating, trampolining). The transfer of air awareness significantly shortens the learning curve for big air and slopestyle skiing.

What Obstacles Did Oldham Overcome Before Milan-Cortina 2026?

Megan Oldham’s path to gold included significant setbacks that made her victory even more remarkable. She sustained a concussion in December 2025, just two months before the Olympics, creating serious doubts about her ability to compete[3].

Major challenges faced:

• Concussion recovery: December 2025 injury threatened Olympic participation
• Uncertain timeline: Expressed doubt about making it back in time for competition[3]
• Beijing disappointment: Fourth-place finish in 2022 left unfinished business
• Pressure expectations: Competing as a medal favorite after strong World Cup performances
• Elite competition: Facing defending champion Eileen Gu and home-crowd favorite Flora Tabanelli

After winning gold, Oldham reflected on her recovery: “Just coming back from that alone, I’m pretty proud of myself”[3]. This statement underscores how uncertain her Olympic participation was just weeks before competition.

Edge case consideration: Concussion protocols in winter sports have become increasingly strict. Athletes must pass multiple medical clearances before returning to competition, making Oldham’s recovery timeline particularly impressive. The decision to compete required medical clearance, personal assessment of symptoms, and acceptance of calculated risk.

How Did the Rivalry with Eileen Gu Shape the Competition?

The showdown between Megan Oldham and Eileen Gu added dramatic tension to Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026. Gu entered as the defending Olympic champion but faced her own unique challenges[3].

Eileen Gu’s competition circumstances:

• Four-year hiatus: Had not competed in big air since winning Beijing 2022 gold[3]
• Last-minute preparation: Learned her winning 1440-degree trick only four days before the final[3]
• Warmup crash: Attempted a 1620-degree spin, crashed, and cracked her helmet before the final[3]
• Weather delay: Near-blizzard conditions delayed competition start by 75 minutes, giving her recovery time[3]
• Historic achievement: Silver medal gave her five total Olympic medals—more than any woman in freestyle skiing history[3]

The 75-minute weather delay proved crucial for Gu, who rested in a dark room after her warmup crash[3]. Without that delay, her ability to compete at medal level would have been questionable. This demonstrates how external factors—weather, scheduling, venue conditions—can dramatically impact Olympic outcomes.

What Role Did Oldham’s Slopestyle Bronze Play in Her Big Air Success?

Before her big air triumph, Oldham secured a bronze medal in slopestyle at Milan-Cortina 2026[2][4]. This earlier success provided both confidence and pressure heading into her signature event.

Impact of slopestyle bronze on big air performance:

• Confidence boost: Proved she could perform under Olympic pressure
• Medal pressure relief: Already had a podium finish, reducing “must-medal” stress
• Competition rhythm: Stayed sharp with recent high-stakes competition experience
• Strategic advantage: Understood venue conditions and judging tendencies
• Physical readiness: Maintained peak fitness through active competition

Winning multiple medals at a single Olympics demonstrates exceptional versatility. While some athletes specialize in one discipline, Oldham’s success across both slopestyle and big air showcases comprehensive freestyle skiing mastery. The skills overlap—both require aerial awareness, trick execution, and landing precision—but each discipline has unique technical demands.

Decision rule: Athletes should prioritize their strongest event when scheduling allows recovery time between competitions. Oldham’s slopestyle bronze came early enough in the Games to provide momentum without causing fatigue for big air.

How Did the Livigno Venue Impact Competition Dynamics?

The women’s freeski big air competition took place on a unique venue setup that influenced how athletes approached their runs. The Livigno venue featured a man-made hill 165 feet in the air, accessed via an elevator to a scaffolding structure[3].

Venue characteristics:

• Height: 165-foot scaffolding structure requiring elevator access[3]
• Construction: Man-made jump built on scaffolding rather than natural terrain
• Weather exposure: Fully exposed to elements, leading to 75-minute blizzard delay[3]
• Technical demands: Consistent takeoff angle and landing zone geometry
• Psychological factor: Elevator ride to platform adds mental preparation time

The near-blizzard conditions that swept through the snowpark created additional challenges[3]. Visibility decreased, wind affected aerial stability, and temperature dropped, making equipment management crucial. Athletes had to adjust their approach speed and rotation timing based on changing wind conditions.

Common mistake: Underestimating how venue-specific factors affect performance. Athletes who train primarily at their home mountain may struggle with different jump geometry, snow conditions, and altitude at Olympic venues. Successful competitors arrive early for extensive venue familiarization.

What Does This Victory Mean for Canadian Freestyle Skiing?

Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026 contributed to Canada’s growing momentum at the Games. Her gold medal came on February 17, the same day speed skater Courtney Sarault captured silver in short track, giving Canada its 10th medal of the Olympics[2].

Canadian freestyle skiing context:

• Second gold medal: Oldham’s victory was Canada’s second freestyle skiing gold at Milan-Cortina
• Multiple medalists: Oldham joined elite company with two medals (gold and bronze) at single Games
• Program depth: Demonstrates strength across multiple freestyle disciplines
• Youth development: Success validates Canadian training programs and talent pipelines
• Parry Sound pride: Small-town athlete achieving Olympic glory inspires next generation

Canada has historically dominated freestyle skiing, particularly in moguls, aerials, and halfpipe. Oldham’s big air and slopestyle success expands that dominance into newer Olympic disciplines, suggesting the national program adapts effectively as the sport evolves.

For aspiring athletes: Canadian freestyle skiing programs offer structured development pathways from provincial teams through national squads. Athletes showing promise in regional competitions can access coaching, training facilities, and competition funding through Alpine Canada and provincial sport organizations.

What Technical Elements Defined Oldham’s Winning Runs?

While specific trick-by-trick breakdowns require detailed video analysis, the scoring system in big air rewards difficulty, execution, and amplitude. Oldham’s 180.75-point total came from her two best runs in the three-attempt format[2].

Big air scoring criteria:

• Difficulty: Rotation degrees, axis variations, grab complexity
• Execution: Clean takeoff, controlled rotation, stable landing
• Amplitude: Height above the jump, distance traveled
• Style: Grab quality, body position, overall aesthetic
• Landing: Stability, absorption, riding away cleanly

The three-run format allows athletes to attempt progressively more difficult tricks or secure a strong score early and play it safe on later runs. Oldham’s strategy of nailing her first two runs eliminated the need for a risky third attempt[2], demonstrating smart competition management.

Edge case: In extremely close competitions (like the 1.75-point margin here), judges may review video footage to confirm scores. At this elite level, landing with a slight hand touch or minor balance correction can be the difference between gold and silver.

How Did Flora Tabanelli’s Bronze Medal Story Add Drama?

Italian athlete Flora Tabanelli’s bronze medal performance added an inspirational subplot to the competition. She scored 178.25 points while competing just four months after tearing her ACL[3].

Tabanelli’s remarkable circumstances:

• Recent injury: ACL tear just four months before Olympics
• Surgical decision: Chose to compete in a brace rather than undergo season-ending surgery[3]
• Home advantage: Competed in front of Italian crowds at Milan-Cortina
• Podium finish: Secured bronze despite significant physical limitations
• Risk calculation: Accepted injury aggravation risk for Olympic opportunity

Tabanelli’s decision to compete on a partially healed ACL represents the difficult choices elite athletes face. ACL tears typically require 9-12 months of recovery for full return to sport. Competing at four months, even with a brace, carries substantial risk of re-injury or worsening the existing damage.

Medical consideration: Athletes considering competition on recent injuries should consult orthopedic specialists familiar with their specific sport’s demands. The forces experienced during big air landings are extreme, making Tabanelli’s performance particularly remarkable from a medical perspective.

FAQ

How many points did Megan Oldham score to win big air gold?
Megan Oldham scored 180.75 points to win the women’s freeski big air gold medal at Milan-Cortina 2026, edging Eileen Gu’s 179.00 by just 1.75 points[1][3].

Where is Megan Oldham from?
Megan Oldham is from Parry Sound, Ontario, a small town in the Georgian Bay region of Canada[3].

What other medal did Oldham win at Milan-Cortina 2026?
In addition to big air gold, Oldham won a bronze medal in slopestyle, giving her two medals at the 2026 Olympics[2][4].

How did Oldham finish in big air at the Beijing 2022 Olympics?
Oldham finished fourth in women’s freeski big air at Beijing 2022, missing the podium but setting up her redemption story for Milan-Cortina[2].

What injury did Oldham overcome before the 2026 Olympics?
Oldham sustained a concussion in December 2025 and expressed uncertainty about making it back in time for the Olympics, making her gold medal performance even more impressive[3].

What happened to Eileen Gu before the big air final?
During warmups, Gu attempted a 1620-degree spin, crashed, and cracked her helmet. A 75-minute weather delay then gave her time to recover in a dark room before competing[3].

How high is the big air jump structure at Livigno?
The big air competition took place on a man-made hill 165 feet in the air, accessed via an elevator to a scaffolding structure[3].

How many Olympic medals does Eileen Gu have now?
With her silver medal at Milan-Cortina, Gu reached five total Olympic medals—more than any woman in freestyle skiing history[3].

What sports did Oldham compete in before freestyle skiing?
Oldham competed in gymnastics and figure skating before transitioning to freestyle skiing, with encouragement from her brother Bruce[3].

How does the big air scoring format work?
Each competitor receives three runs with their best score counted. Oldham’s first two runs were strong enough to secure gold without needing her third attempt[2].

What was the weather like during the competition?
A near-blizzard swept through the snowpark, delaying the competition start by 75 minutes[3].

Who won bronze in women’s freeski big air?
Italian athlete Flora Tabanelli won bronze with 178.25 points, competing just four months after tearing her ACL[1][3].

Key Takeaways

• Historic victory: Megan Oldham’s 180.75-point performance secured big air gold by just 1.75 points over defending champion Eileen Gu[1][3]
• Redemption arc: Oldham progressed from fourth place at Beijing 2022 to Olympic champion at Milan-Cortina 2026[2]
• Concussion comeback: She competed and won just two months after a December 2025 concussion that threatened her Olympic participation[3]
• Double medalist: Oldham’s slopestyle bronze complemented her big air gold, showcasing versatility across freestyle disciplines[2][4]
• Dramatic competition: Eileen Gu crashed during warmups, cracking her helmet, but recovered to win silver and become the most decorated woman in freestyle skiing with five Olympic medals[3]
• Unique venue: The 165-foot scaffolding structure accessed by elevator created distinctive competition conditions at Livigno[3]
• Canadian momentum: Oldham’s gold contributed to Canada’s growing medal count and demonstrated the nation’s freestyle skiing depth[2]
• Athletic background: Her foundation in gymnastics and figure skating provided crucial air awareness skills that translate to big air success[3]
• Tight podium: Just 2.5 points separated gold from bronze, with Flora Tabanelli’s 178.25 earning her a medal despite competing four months after an ACL tear[1][3]
• Strategic execution: Oldham’s strong first two runs eliminated pressure on her third attempt, demonstrating smart competition management[2]

Conclusion

Megan Oldham’s Golden Jumps: How Parry Sound’s Freestyle Skiing Star Claimed Big Air Gold at Milan-Cortina 2026 represents the culmination of dedication, resilience, and technical mastery. Her 180.75-point performance didn’t just edge out defending champion Eileen Gu—it validated four years of preparation since finishing fourth at Beijing 2022 and demonstrated remarkable mental toughness in returning from a December 2025 concussion.

The 24-year-old’s journey from gymnastics and figure skating to Olympic gold illustrates how transferable skills and family support can shape athletic careers. Her brother Bruce’s influence, combined with the air awareness developed through her earlier sports, created the foundation for success in one of winter sports’ most technically demanding disciplines.

For young athletes in Parry Sound and across Canada, Oldham’s achievement proves that small-town origins don’t limit Olympic dreams. Her victory, combined with her slopestyle bronze, establishes her as one of Canada’s premier freestyle skiers and adds momentum to the national program’s continued evolution.

Next steps for fans and aspiring athletes:

• Follow Oldham’s career: Track her continued competition in World Cup events and future Olympic cycles
• Support Canadian freestyle skiing: Attend competitions, follow national team athletes, and engage with Alpine Canada programs
• Explore the sport: Local ski hills across Canada offer freestyle programs for beginners through advanced athletes
• Study the technique: Watch competition footage to understand the technical elements that separate podium performances from the field
• Celebrate the moment: Oldham’s gold medal represents not just personal achievement but a proud moment for Parry Sound, Ontario, and all of Canada

The 1.75-point margin that separated gold from silver reminds us that Olympic glory often comes down to the smallest details—a cleaner landing, better amplitude, or superior execution under pressure. Megan Oldham delivered when it mattered most, etching her name in Olympic history and inspiring the next generation of Canadian freestyle skiers.

References

[1] Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RfJ-iSQFns
[2] Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyR2pls0NkE
[3] Megan Oldham Wins Olympic Freeski Big Air Gold Eileen Gu – https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47949402/megan-oldham-wins-olympic-freeski-big-air-gold-eileen-gu
[4] Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuVU6QNP6z4
[5] Megan Oldham Outduels Eileen Gu Freeski Big Air Gold – https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/megan-oldham-outduels-eileen-gu-freeski-big-air-gold

Some content and illustrations on GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM are created with the assistance of AI tools.

GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM shares video content from YouTube creators under fair use principles. We respect creators’ intellectual property and include direct links to their original videos, channels, and social media platforms whenever we feature their content. This practice supports creators by driving traffic to their platforms.