Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli has made a spectacular start to his Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games campaign, clinching a place in the men's big air final with a dramatic last-run performance in Livigno. The 20-year-old, who only entered the competition as a late replacement, delivered under pressure to secure his spot among the top twelve competitors.
A Thrilling Qualification Run
Guseli's journey to the final was anything but straightforward. After scoring 73.25 on his first run and 71.50 on his second, he knew he needed something extraordinary on his third and final attempt to qualify. Launching off the imposing ramp—a structure built on scaffolding that towers more than 50 metres above the course—Guseli soared through the air with precision and flair.
His final jump earned an impressive score of 91.50, bringing his combined total to 163.0 points. This secured him the last available position in the 12-man final, scheduled for Sunday at 0530 AEDT. The young athlete's elation was palpable as he threw his snowboard into the air in celebration, having achieved the equal second-best score of the day.
Competitive Field and Standout Performances
The qualification round featured fierce competition, with Hiroto Ogiwara of Japan leading the field with a top score of 178.5 points. Ogiwara, who made history at the 2025 Aspen X Games by landing the first 2340-degree jump in competition, spearheaded a strong Japanese contingent. Home favourite Ian Matteoli gave Italian fans reason to cheer by placing second in qualifying with 174.5 points.
New Zealand also made its mark, with three athletes—Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson, and Dane Menzies—successfully advancing to the final. This sets the stage for an intensely competitive showdown in the coming days.
Guseli's Unexpected Olympic Debut
Guseli's participation in the big air event came as a surprise, as he was granted a start only on the day of competition following the withdrawal of Canadian veteran Mark McMorris due to injury. McMorris was carried off on a stretcher after crashing during training in Livigno, opening the door for Guseli as first reserve.
This opportunity made Guseli the first Australian to compete at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, a honour he embraced with determination. Originally aiming to compete in three events—big air, slopestyle, and halfpipe—his plans were disrupted by an ACL injury in late 2024, which prevented him from qualifying for the first two disciplines.
Medal Hopes and Historical Context
Despite these setbacks, Guseli remains a strong medal contender, particularly in the halfpipe, where he previously won a World Cup event in Calgary and placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics. His resilience and skill have drawn comparisons to Australian snowboarding legend Torah Bright, who made history at the 2014 Sochi Olympics by competing in three disciplines and winning silver in the halfpipe.
It is worth noting that qualification for big air and slopestyle are linked, but Guseli is not guaranteed a start in slopestyle, as McMorris may recover in time to compete. This adds an element of uncertainty to Guseli's Olympic schedule, but his focus remains firmly on the big air final.
As the Winter Olympics continue, all eyes will be on Livigno's Snow Park, where Guseli and his rivals will battle for glory in one of snowboarding's most exhilarating events.
