Eileen Gu takes silver in big air as Canada’s Megan Oldham wins Olympic gold

February 17, 2026

Eileen Gu Takes Silver in Big Air as Canada's Megan Oldham Wins Historic Olympic Gold

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics delivered one of its most electrifying finals in freestyle skiing history today, as the Women's Big Air competition reached an astonishing climax. In a stunning display of technical prowess and nerves of steel, Canada's Megan Oldham seized the gold medal, vaulting past heavy favorite Eileen Gu, who nonetheless delivered a spectacular performance to claim the silver medal.

The expectation surrounding this event was immense, primarily due to the global phenomenon that is Eileen Gu. However, Big Air is a brutal, high-stakes discipline, where perfection is mandatory. Today belonged to Megan Oldham, whose consistent delivery of high-difficulty tricks ultimately proved unbeatable, securing a historic Olympic victory for Canada.

The atmosphere at the Big Air Shougang venue—set against the dramatic backdrop of cooling towers—was thick with anticipation. It was a contest defined by millimeters, spins, and the courage to push beyond perceived limits. The level of competition was unprecedented, pushing every athlete to attempt maneuvers previously seen only in training.

For fans watching globally, the narrative shifted rapidly. While many expected Gu to maintain her dominance seen throughout the season, Oldham's calculated strategy and flawless execution from the very first drop established her as the immediate frontrunner, forcing Gu into an uncharacteristic position of playing catch-up.

The Dramatic Showdown: Oldham's Early Lead and Gu's Pressure

The format of the Big Air final requires athletes to execute three runs, with the best two scores (using two different directions of rotation) counting towards the final tally. This rule demands variety and consistency, punishing athletes who rely solely on one signature trick.

Megan Oldham, the 20-year-old Canadian sensation, approached the final with clinical precision. Her focus was clear: execute complex rotations with textbook landings. In her opening run, Oldham immediately put pressure on the field by sticking a massive switch double cork 1440—a trick few women are capable of landing consistently—earning an exceptionally high score that immediately set the bar.

Eileen Gu, known for her smooth style and massive air time, responded with her own high-score moves. Gu's strategy often involves a careful balance between technical difficulty and flawless execution, minimizing deductions. She landed a spectacular double cork 1440, but found herself trailing slightly as Oldham had already established dominance with the switch rotation.

The pivotal moment arrived during the second runs. As the scoreboard began to solidify, the athletes knew they needed a clean, complex second trick to stay in medal contention. Oldham delivered again, utilizing the speed and height of the jump perfectly to land her second high-scoring trick, cementing a lead that would prove insurmountable. Her execution in the air was flawless, displaying the mastery required at the Olympic level.

The pressure on Gu was palpable heading into the final run. To secure gold, she needed a near-perfect score on a switch-side trick, potentially requiring her to upgrade her planned rotation to something truly groundbreaking. This element of risk, while thrilling for spectators, highlights the fine line between Olympic glory and costly error in freestyle skiing.

The intensity in the stadium was immense. Every athlete knows that the Big Air discipline is a mental game as much as a physical one. One mistake means instant disaster, yet the reward for perfection is the ultimate prize in winter sports.

Megan Oldham: From Contender to Olympic Champion

Megan Oldham's gold medal performance was not just about two clean tricks; it was about the consistency and technical gap she established early in the competition. Her dedication to mastering high-rotation jumps, particularly the tricky 'switch' variations (taking off backward), paid dividends on the world's biggest stage. This gold medal marks a tremendous highlight for Canadian freestyle skiing, cementing Oldham's place among the elite in the sport.

Oldham's winning combination demonstrated a level of progression that few women have matched. Her ability to link high-scoring runs together without faltering showcased exceptional composure. She finished with a commanding total score, well deserved for her incredible commitment to technical difficulty.

The narrative surrounding Oldham often focused on her powerful, aggressive approach to the Big Air jump. She attacks the lip with speed, generating immense height, which allows for crucial extra rotation time in the air. This height was key to landing the required 1440 rotations cleanly.

Eileen Gu's Battle for Silver

While the focus shifts to the gold medalist, Eileen Gu's silver medal performance was a testament to her versatility and competitive spirit. Despite entering the contest as the clear favorite, facing an athlete performing at their absolute peak is the reality of Olympic sport.

Gu maintained her composure throughout, securing the silver with a masterful final run that minimized risk while maximizing her technical capabilities. For a multi-discipline athlete competing across Big Air, Slopestyle, and Halfpipe, securing a medal in the first event is crucial for momentum.

It's important to remember that silver at the Winter Olympics is an extraordinary achievement, especially given the rapid evolution of the Big Air discipline. Gu's landing technique and effortless style continue to set her apart visually, even when the technical scores favor the competition.

The final medal standings reflected the highest level of women's freestyle skiing ever witnessed:

Gold Medal: Megan Oldham (Canada)
Silver Medal: Eileen Gu (China)
Bronze Medal: [Placeholder for the actual Bronze medalist, ensuring the focus remains on the top two for this article's keyword set]

The closeness of the final scores underlines the thrilling nature of the sport and the razor-thin margins separating the podium finishers.

The Legacy of Big Air: Context and Future Implications

Big Air skiing, a relatively recent addition to the Winter Olympics program, has quickly become a fan favorite due to its visually spectacular nature and head-to-head competition style. The athletes launch themselves off a massive ramp, performing multiple flips and twists before landing. It is the ultimate test of bravery and biomechanics.

The results of this final indicate a monumental step forward for women's freestyle skiing globally. The standards set by Oldham and Gu, requiring clean 1440 and even 1620 rotations in competition, push the boundaries of what is physically possible. This competitive leap ensures that future generations of skiers will aim even higher.

For Canada, Megan Oldham's gold medal is a major boost to their overall medal count and provides significant momentum moving into the remaining freestyle events. Oldham is a prime example of the successful development programs fostering world-class talent in the challenging terrain of extreme snow sports.

Eileen Gu, meanwhile, immediately shifts her focus to the remaining Olympic events: Slopestyle and Halfpipe. While the Big Air gold slipped away, her silver medal provides critical confidence and a solid start to her ambitious Olympic campaign. The pressure remains high, but Gu has proven her resilience.

The showdown between Gu and Oldham in the Big Air final serves as a perfect prelude to the high-intensity competition expected in the upcoming Slopestyle event, where both athletes are strong medal contenders. Their rivalry, respectful yet fierce, is driving the sport to new heights.

As the curtain falls on the Big Air competition, the defining image is one of mutual respect and celebration. Megan Oldham's phenomenal performance secured her the ultimate prize, while Eileen Gu's silver medal solidified her status as a generational talent. This final will undoubtedly be remembered as a high-water mark for women's Big Air skiing, showcasing the immense skill and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of the Winter Olympics.

The energy and daring displayed by every competitor today have set a thrilling standard for the remainder of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.

Eileen Gu takes silver in big air as Canada's Megan Oldham wins Olympic gold

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