LIVIGNO, Italy — The snowy slopes of Livigno witnessed a spectacular showdown in women’s freeski slopestyle on Monday, as Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud etched her name in Olympic history with a dazzling gold-medal performance at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games. In a contest that overflowed with drama, athletic mastery, and razor-thin margins, Gremaud defended her Olympic title in style, narrowly edging out China’s Eileen Gu for the second consecutive Games. Canada’s Megan Oldham, after a gutsy final run, clinched the bronze.
The rivalry between Gremaud and Gu has become the stuff of legend. Four years ago in Beijing, their duel was decided by a mere 0.33 points. This time, the gap was even slimmer—just 0.38 points separated the Swiss star’s winning score of 86.96 from Gu’s 86.58. The final, held on February 9, 2026, was a showcase of nerves, innovation, and pure willpower, with both women pushing the boundaries of their sport.
Gremaud, who turned 26 just a day before the event, delivered her golden run on her second attempt. It was a technical masterpiece featuring three double corks—a 1080 and two 1260s—that left the crowd and judges in awe. As cowbells rang and Swiss flags fluttered, Gremaud pumped her skis in the air, soaking in the moment. "There was a part of me that was defending my gold medal from four years ago, but there was a bigger part of me that was trying to show what I believe I was capable of," Gremaud told reporters. "I could show a good run in 2018, a great run in 2022 and the best run so far of my life in 2026."
The competition format gave each athlete three runs, with only the best score counting. The Livigno course, notorious for its technical rail sections followed by three jumps, proved to be a formidable test. Gu, born in San Francisco but representing China, came out strong with a near-flawless first run, posting an 86.58 that set the early pace. But the pressure was relentless. Gremaud’s second run leapfrogged her into the top spot, forcing Gu to dig deep for her final attempt.
Gu’s hopes for gold unraveled at the very start of her last run. The first rail—a section that had given her trouble during Saturday’s qualifying—tripped her up again. She skittered off and toppled to her side, ending her chance to reclaim the top podium spot. "I felt really good on the takeoff and I had speed, but yeah, it’s slopestyle," Gu said after the event. "There’s six sections in the course, and you have to make it through the first five to be able to showcase the last one." The disappointment was palpable, but Gu’s sportsmanship shone through. Reflecting on the rivalry, she added, "I think if we were to replay this contest 10 times, I think there are several instances where I would have won and several others where she would have won and maybe several other instances where neither of us did. That’s what’s so beautiful about contest skiing; it’s about who can perform on the day."
For Gremaud, the victory capped a journey marked by both triumph and struggle. After her narrow win in Beijing, she admitted to feeling adrift and unmotivated, unsure if she wanted to compete again at the highest level. "I couldn’t see the future," Gremaud said. "I didn’t have goals." Through time, and with the guidance of an energy coach back in Switzerland, she rediscovered her passion. Her dominant qualifying performance in Livigno signaled she was back at her best, and on the biggest stage, she delivered once more.
As Gu collected her silver—her fourth Olympic medal, adding to her golds in big air and halfpipe and silver in slopestyle from Beijing—she remained upbeat about her prospects in the upcoming events. At just 22, and currently attending Stanford University, Gu’s star power continues to grow. She’ll return to the slopes soon, aiming to defend her titles in big air and halfpipe, disciplines where she is considered an even stronger contender.
The bronze medal battle had its own share of drama. Megan Oldham of Canada, who suffered a heavy fall on her second run that saw her lose both skis, rebounded with remarkable composure. Her final run earned a 76.46, just enough to edge out Britain’s Kirsty Muir by 0.41 points. Muir, visibly emotional after the event, said, "I was so proud to put one down (on the third run) but I’m struggling to accept how close it was. I know I’ve got more in me. I’m glad I put it all out there." Oldham’s resilience was a highlight, and she left Livigno with a well-deserved spot on the podium.
The U.S. was represented in the final by 17-year-old Avery Krumme, who finished 11th. Krumme, a dual citizen with Canadian and Texan heritage, managed a best score of 52.40 on her first run but, like Gu, missed the first rail on her final attempt. For the young American, just reaching the Olympic final was an achievement, and her performance hints at a bright future in the sport.
Gremaud’s victory is historic on several fronts. She becomes the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic golds in freeski slopestyle since the sport’s debut at the Games in 2014. Her medal haul now includes two golds, a silver, and a bronze across three Olympics, as well as world championship titles in 2023 and 2025. The Swiss skier’s journey—marked by resilience, reinvention, and a flair for the dramatic—has inspired fans and fellow athletes alike.
Gu’s silver cements her status as one of the sport’s most consistent and versatile stars. Her Olympic resume now boasts two golds and two silvers, and with more events on the horizon, few would bet against her adding to that tally. As the Milan Cortina Games roll on, all eyes will be on Gu as she returns to the halfpipe and big air—events where she has previously dazzled the world.
As the sun set over Livigno, Gremaud took her victory lap, the Swiss flag billowing behind her, the cheers of her teammates and supporters echoing across the snow. For Gremaud, Gu, Oldham, and the rest of the field, the day was a testament to the grit, artistry, and unpredictability that make slopestyle one of the Winter Olympics’ most riveting events. The title is Gremaud’s for four more years, but the rivalry—and the excitement—shows no signs of slowing down.