Mathilde Gremaud Edges Eileen Gu in Thrilling Freeski Slopestyle Final to Defend Olympic Title

Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland etched her name in Olympic history on Monday, February 9, successfully defending her freeski slopestyle title at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a thrilling victory over China's Eileen Gu. The Swiss star posted a score of 86.96 on her second run to edge out Gu's 86.58 from her opening attempt, winning by the slimmest of margins—just 0.38 points—in what was a highly anticipated rematch of their Beijing 2022 showdown. The women's freeski slopestyle final delivered spectacular action as the world's best female freeskiers showcased their technical abilities and creative line choices on the challenging course. Gremaud, who topped the qualification round, demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure. After a solid first run, she elevated her performance on her second attempt, executing a flawless combination of technical tricks including switch double cork rotations and stylish rail work that impressed the judges. Eileen Gu, competing for China, came agonizingly close to claiming gold in her second event of these Games. The 22-year-old superstar, who won two gold medals at Beijing 2022, put down an exceptional opening run that held the lead for much of the competition. Her performance featured her signature amplitude and style, with clean landings and innovative trick selections. Despite the silver medal, Gu has already secured multiple podium finishes at Milano Cortina, continuing her reign as one of freestyle skiing's biggest stars. Canada's Megan Oldham captured the bronze medal with a score of 76.46, claiming her first Olympic medal in a breakthrough performance. Oldham's run featured consistent execution across all features of the course, and her celebration at the finish line reflected the years of dedication that led to this moment. The 23-year-old from Parry Sound, Ontario, has been steadily climbing the World Cup rankings and proved she belongs among the sport's elite. The competition took place at the freeski slopestyle venue in Livigno, where pristine conditions allowed athletes to perform at their highest level. With this victory, Gremaud joins an exclusive club of back-to-back Olympic champions in freeski slopestyle, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest to ever compete in the discipline. The razor-thin margin of victory underscored the incredible depth of talent in women's freestyle skiing and set the stage for continued rivalry between Gremaud and Gu at future competitions.