Canada’s Megan Oldham secured two medals at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, becoming the third Canadian athlete to achieve this feat. In the women’s big air final, the freestyle skier garnered 180.75 points across her top two runs to claim gold, surpassing Chinese standout Eileen Gu (179) in Italy. Expressing her delight, Oldham, 24, shared, “It feels incredible. I’m still trying to process it all. It’s been such a dream of mine.”
Her first Winter Games medal was a bronze in women’s slopestyle on February 9. Other Canadian athletes with multiple medals include Mikaël Kingsbury and Courtney Sarault, contributing to Canada’s total of 11 medals. Oldham missed the podium in the Beijing Games, finishing fourth in big air and 13th in slopestyle. Reflecting on her performance, she mentioned feeling more determined after Beijing, believing she had untapped potential.
In the big air competition, skiers execute three jumps with the requirement of landing at least two. The scoring considers the difficulty and execution of the jumps. Oldham encountered a 75-minute delay due to weather conditions but showcased impressive skills, starting with a switch double cork 1260 in her initial run, earning 91.75 points. She then executed a double cork 1260 with a mute grab in her second jump, achieving a score of 89.00 for a total of 180.75 points, securing the lead.
Despite the challenges of the delay, Oldham maintained focus and readiness for her jumps. Her teammate, Naomi Urness, finished sixth in her Olympic debut. Urness had a strong season leading up to the Olympics, achieving podium finishes in World Cup events. The final field was reduced by two athletes due to injuries during practice jumps.
Oldham’s victory in the big air event marked a significant milestone in her career, adding to her impressive record of 11 World Cup podiums, including four wins. Her exceptional performance at the Winter Olympics solidified her status as a top contender in freestyle skiing.
Italy’s Flora Tabanelli secured the bronze medal, while Oldham’s teammate, Naomi Urness, showcased her talent in her Olympic debut, finishing in sixth place. Despite facing challenges, both athletes displayed resilience and determination throughout the competition.
The Winter Olympics provided a platform for athletes like Oldham and Urness to shine, showcasing their skills and dedication to their sport on a global stage.