Norwegian Star Birk Ruud Captures Olympic Slopestyle Gold in Livigno
Under the overcast skies of the Italian Alps, Birk Ruud of Norway delivered a masterful performance to claim the gold medal in the men's slopestyle event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday. The 25-year-old freestyle skier executed an impeccable first run on a challenging Livigno course that proved difficult for many competitors, setting a high standard that ultimately secured his victory.
American Veteran Extends Team USA's Medal Streak
Alex Hall, the defending gold medalist from Beijing 2022, demonstrated remarkable resilience to earn the silver medal for Team USA. The 27-year-old overcame a shaky start to deliver a crucial second run that he described as never having fully completed in practice. Hall's achievement extends Team USA's impressive record of earning a slopestyle medal in every Olympics since the event debuted in 2014.
"I was so stoked to land that run," Hall said after his performance. "It was tricky out there for sure, just a little bit flat light, so definitely hard to see on the jumps. I knew I had to go all out. The talent's just so incredible."
Young New Zealander Claims Surprise Bronze
In a remarkable comeback story, Luca Harrington of New Zealand fought his way from 10th place to claim the bronze medal. The 21-year-old, one of the youngest competitors in the field, delivered a clutch final run that secured his place on the podium.
"I think that wave of emotion that actually hit, that I was actually the bronze medallist, came from so deep inside of me," Harrington reflected. "It's come from my whole experience, my whole journey to get here."
Challenging Course Tests World's Best Skiers
The slopestyle competition, which requires athletes to navigate rails and perform aerial tricks while being judged on difficulty and originality, proved particularly demanding in Livigno. The event format allows each skier three runs, with only their best score counting toward the final rankings.
The challenging conditions were evident from the outset, with eight of the twelve competitors falling during their initial attempts. Ruud's exceptional first-run score of 86.28 established an early lead that would prove insurmountable, despite strong efforts from Hall (85.75) and Harrington (85.15).
Defending Champion's Emotional Victory
For Ruud, who previously won gold in big air at Beijing 2022, this victory represents a significant milestone in his Olympic career. The Norwegian athlete will have an opportunity to defend his big air title starting Sunday, adding another layer of achievement to his already impressive resume.
"It was kind of the last piece to the collection, with big air and slopestyle," Ruud said of his new medal. "It's a beautiful feeling and a special moment. I'll try to take it in."
Notable Performances and Near Misses
The competition featured several dramatic moments, including a heartbreaking finish for Jesper Tjader, the bronze medalist from Beijing. The Swedish skier was in medal contention entering his final run but crash-landed off a rail, sending one of his skis flying and ultimately finishing in fifth place.
The event showcased the incredible depth of talent in freestyle skiing, with athletes pushing the boundaries of what's possible on snow while navigating challenging visibility conditions and technical course elements.
