Anna Gasser Makes History with Third Consecutive Olympic Gold in Women's Snowboard Big Air

Austria's Anna Gasser achieved an unprecedented feat in winter sports history on Monday at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, capturing her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in women's snowboard big air. The 34-year-old defended her title with a commanding performance at Livigno Snow Park, posting a winning score of 185.50 points to cement her legacy as the greatest big air competitor the sport has ever seen. Gasser's victory marks a historic achievement as she becomes the first woman ever to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in snowboard big air. Having previously claimed gold at PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, Gasser entered Milano Cortina 2026 as the overwhelming favorite despite questions about whether age would finally catch up to the veteran Austrian. Those doubts were emphatically dismissed as Gasser delivered clutch performances when it mattered most. New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, who topped the qualifying round, had to settle for silver medal in the final. The defending silver medalist put together a strong performance but couldn't match Gasser's consistency and technical execution. Japan's Kokomo Murase, the bronze medalist from Beijing 2022, claimed bronze once again, rounding out a podium that featured three of the sport's most decorated athletes. The final took place under perfect conditions at the Livigno Snow Park, with Gasser saving her best tricks for when the pressure was highest. Her run demonstrated not only technical mastery but also the mental fortitude that has defined her Olympic career. At an age when many snowboarders have retired, Gasser continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in women's big air competition. This gold medal adds to Austria's growing medal count at the 2026 Winter Olympics and represents a crowning achievement for Gasser, who has indicated these may be her final Olympic Games. With three consecutive golds in big air and a career that has spanned multiple Olympic cycles, Gasser has firmly established herself as one of the most dominant athletes in Winter Olympics history. Her legacy extends beyond medals, as she has inspired a generation of female snowboarders to pursue excellence in big air competition. The victory was particularly sweet for Gasser, who had faced increased competition from younger athletes in recent World Cup events leading up to the Olympics. By rising to the occasion on sport's biggest stage, she proved that experience and championship pedigree remain invaluable assets in high-pressure Olympic competition. Her historic threepeat joins an elite group of Winter Olympic achievements and will be remembered as one of the defining performances of Milano Cortina 2026.