Seventeen-year-old Ollie Martin, the snowboarding sensation from Colorado, found himself at the heart of Olympic drama on February 7, 2026, as he narrowly missed a podium finish in the men’s big air final at the Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy. Martin, the only American to advance to the men’s big air final at the Milano Cortina Games, delivered a performance that had fans, family, and the entire U.S. snowboarding community holding their breath until the very last run.
Martin’s journey to this moment is as remarkable as it is inspiring. A senior at Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy and a product of the renowned Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, Martin’s rapid ascent in the sport has been nothing short of meteoric. He’s the youngest rider in history to land a 2160 and the only snowboarder ever to stomp both a frontside and backside 2160, feats that have left even Olympic gold medalists like Red Gerard in awe. “Ollie’s his own beast and I look up to him,” Gerard told NBC Olympics. “I look at what Ollie does, and I’m like, ‘Yo, how do I do that? That’s insane.’”
But Martin’s rise isn’t just about individual brilliance. It’s rooted in a family legacy that spans continents and generations. His father, Chris Martin, hails from New Zealand, while his mother, Anne, grew up in Eagle County, Colorado. The family’s international flavor is evident—Ollie’s older brother, Kade, describes himself as “an Aussie, a Kiwi and a Yank,” reflecting their ties to the Southern Hemisphere and the U.S. Both brothers were raised in Wolcott, Colorado, and honed their skills on the slopes of Vail Mountain and Copper Mountain, supported by parents who have always emphasized progression and passion. “As parents, we are very proud,” Chris and Anne Martin told the Vail Daily, “but Ollie is focused on the future and the ultimate goal (to win the Olympics). He pushes himself for progression and is happiest when he gets a new trick.”
Ollie’s family tree is laced with Olympic pedigree. His great-uncle, Chuck Ferries, was a two-time Olympic alpine skier and a U.S. Ski Hall of Famer, celebrated as one of the most decorated American ski racers of the 1960s. Ferries made history by becoming the first American to win the Hahnenkamm slalom at Kitzbühel in 1962 and later coached the U.S. Women’s Ski Team through the 1968 Olympics. His sister, Barbara Ferries Henderson, Ollie’s great-aunt, competed in alpine skiing at the 1964 Winter Olympics and earned a bronze at the 1962 World Championships. With roots that run deep in winter sports, it’s no surprise Ollie and Kade have found their calling on snow.
Kade Martin, Ollie’s older brother, is carving his own path as a halfpipe rookie on the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. The brothers, both alumni of Avon Elementary School and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, have pushed each other from childhood, often riding pipe and park together during training sessions. Their sibling rivalry and camaraderie have fueled their progress, with both brothers earning national titles before they were old enough to drive. Ollie, for instance, claimed the USASA halfpipe national championship in the “ruggies” division at age 7, while Kade won the snowboard cross national championship in the “groms” division.
Ollie’s competitive achievements read like a prodigy’s checklist. At just 15, he was competing internationally, and at the 2024 Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, he clinched a silver medal in big air and finished fifth in slopestyle. The following year, he made history as the youngest male rider to win a World Cup slopestyle event at the 2025 Calgary Snow Rodeo and took home bronze medals in both slopestyle and big air at the 2025 World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland. His resilience was tested after the 2024 Youth Olympics when he fractured his leg attempting a switch back triple 18, but he bounced back for a breakout 2024-25 World Cup season.
Heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, Martin brought along a quirky but meaningful companion—a miniature snowboard figurine that his mom insisted he pack. “My mom made me bring it,” Martin shared at a pre-Games press conference in Livigno. “Honestly, that toy was really helpful for me. I could use it to visualize. I was able to come up with some tricks with that toy. Sounds silly, but it was actually really helpful.” The figurine, a constant since childhood, has accompanied him on flights to Austrian glaciers and car rides to Copper Mountain, serving as a tactile tool for visualizing and perfecting new tricks.
The big air final itself was a rollercoaster. Martin, who had qualified ninth, found himself in 10th place going into his last run. But with nerves of steel, he launched into a frontside double 1800 with a mute grab, a trick he’s had in his arsenal since he was 15. The crowd erupted as that run catapulted him into second place, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. The event’s format—three attempts with the best two scores counting—meant that the pressure only intensified as the top riders took their final shots.
Then came the controversy. China’s Su Yiming, the defending Olympic gold medalist, landed a switch backside 1900 melon on his last run but caught himself on the ground with both hands. Despite the apparent error, judges awarded him a score of 80.25, enough to leapfrog Martin and claim the bronze, pushing the American to fourth place. The decision sparked immediate debate among fans, commentators, and the American contingent. NBC’s Todd Richards, caught on a hot mic, bluntly called the final “boring,” lamenting the lack of high drama compared to qualifiers. Many questioned whether Su’s landing should have been penalized more harshly, with some wondering aloud if the reigning champion received the benefit of the doubt due to his status.
Martin, visibly disappointed, avoided speaking to reporters after the event. U.S. Ski and Snowboard explained that he dislikes media attention, a sentiment echoed by his mother, Anne. “I have an incredible amount of faith in Ollie,” she told reporters. “It was harder to get here to the Olympics. It’s like a celebration once you’re here.” She confirmed that Ollie had broken his right arm just two weeks prior to the Olympics while training for the X Games, making his Olympic performance all the more impressive. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s very smart about it,” Anne added, noting that the frontside double 1800 was “in the bag” because Ollie could grab with his left arm.
Japan’s Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata took gold and silver, respectively, as Martin’s Olympic debut ended just shy of the podium. Yet, the sense in Livigno was that this is only the beginning for the young American. Martin is now turning his attention to the men’s slopestyle competition, with qualification set for February 16. With his talent, resilience, and a supportive family legacy, the snowboarding world will be watching closely as his story continues to unfold.
For now, Ollie Martin leaves Livigno with his head held high, having delivered a performance that showcased grit, skill, and the promise of many more Olympic moments to come. The heartbreak of just missing a medal will no doubt fuel his fire as he gears up for his next challenge on the world stage.