The crisp air in Livigno, Italy, carried an electric charge on February 7, 2026, as 26 of the world’s best women’s freeskiers gathered for the qualifying round of the Olympic slopestyle event. It was the first real test for the new Milano-Cortina slopestyle course, a marvel of engineering with its daunting rails and jumps stretching over 80 feet. Fans from every corner of the globe tuned in, eager to witness a showdown between established legends and hungry newcomers determined to leave their mark on the sport.
Among the headliners, Eileen Gu once again seized the spotlight. The Chinese-American phenom, who has been redefining the boundaries of women’s freeskiing since switching her allegiance to China in 2022, faced uncharacteristic adversity. Gu stumbled early in her first run, going down in the rails section—a rare sight for a skier of her caliber. But champions are forged in moments of pressure, and Gu delivered on her second attempt. Launching into a corked 900, she spun two and a half times through the cold mountain air, sticking the landing and earning a score of 75.30. That run secured her a place in the finals, setting up her second Olympic slopestyle final appearance after her silver-medal performance in Beijing four years earlier.
But Gu wasn’t the only story. The American camp found a new hero in 17-year-old Avery Krumme, who, with nerves of steel, clinched fourth place in the qualifiers—the only member of Team USA to make it through in this fiercely competitive discipline. Krumme’s journey to this stage has been anything but ordinary. Originally from Squamish, British Columbia, she was a fixture on the Canadian podiums, racking up two golds and three silvers at Canada Cup events during the 2023-24 season. Her bronze at the 2024 FIS Junior World Championships and double gold at the Canadian Nationals cemented her reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young prospects.
Yet, it was a significant injury during her junior career that tested her mettle. Krumme responded by doubling down on weight training and rehabilitation, a period that revealed her grit and determination. Her coaches repeatedly praised her work ethic, noting that this phase was pivotal in shaping her competitive mindset. As the 2024 season approached, Krumme made a bold, strategic move—she switched nationality to represent the United States, seeking new opportunities, resources, and sponsorships. This decision sent ripples through the freestyle skiing world, with Canada lamenting the loss of a rising star and the U.S. team welcoming a game-changing addition to their roster.
"The hyper-competitive nature of freeskiing demands agility, not only in technique but also in national representation," industry analysts noted, underscoring the calculated nature of Krumme’s switch. The move has intensified the rivalry between Canada and the United States, with both nations reassessing their strategies for athlete development and retention. For Krumme, the transition means increased media visibility and a platform to further hone her skills as she integrates into the U.S. Freeski Team’s dynamic environment.
Back on the slopes, Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud delivered a masterclass in precision and style. She set the tone with a clean first run, scoring 76.68, before upping the ante in her second run with a jaw-dropping double-cork 1260—three and a half full spins that left spectators in awe. Gremaud’s 79.15 was the highest score of the day, placing her at the top of the leaderboard heading into the finals and painting a bright target on her back for the competition’s next phase.
The final qualifying standings saw Gremaud in first, Gu in second, and Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir in third. Krumme rounded out the top four, ensuring her place among the world’s elite. For Team USA, the stakes were particularly high—neither Grace Henderson nor Marin Hamill managed to crack the top ten, finishing 15th and 16th, respectively, and missing out on the final.
As the Olympic schedule rolled into Monday, February 9, anticipation reached fever pitch. The women’s freeski slopestyle final was set for 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time at the Livigno Snow Park, a venue the Olympics hailed as "cutting-edge." The course’s massive features promised a showcase of athleticism and creativity, with jumps that could send skiers soaring over 80 feet. The final was not just a test of skill, but of composure, as athletes like Krumme, Gu, and Gremaud prepared to battle for Olympic glory.
Other events on the day added to the Olympic spectacle. The women’s snowboarding big air final was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET, with the slop standing just over 160 feet tall—a breathtaking feat for even the bravest competitors. However, no Americans qualified for that final, shifting the nation’s hopes squarely onto the shoulders of Krumme in slopestyle. Meanwhile, Team USA’s mixed doubles curling duo, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, broke new ground by becoming the first American team ever to reach the semifinals, facing Italy after a grueling round-robin campaign.
Back in the figure skating rink, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the three-time reigning ice dance world champions, continued their quest for gold in the rhythm dance, providing yet another highlight in a jam-packed Olympic schedule. The U.S. contingent was also represented in women’s luge and ice hockey, where the action was just as fierce and unpredictable.
For Avery Krumme, the path to Livigno’s Olympic finals encapsulated the essence of modern sport—a blend of raw talent, resilience in the face of adversity, and strategic choices that transcend borders. Her switch from Canada to the United States was more than a change of uniform; it was a calculated leap into a new chapter, one that could redefine her career and reshape the balance of power in North American freestyle skiing. As she stood atop the course, ready to drop in against the likes of Eileen Gu and Mathilde Gremaud, the world watched with bated breath.
Whether Krumme’s Olympic journey ends with a medal or simply with the respect of her peers, there’s no doubt she’s already left a lasting impression on the sport. The women’s freeski slopestyle final is underway, and with every run, the stakes—and the excitement—continue to climb. The world will soon know who rises to the occasion on one of the sport’s biggest stages.