At her Olympic debut: Maria Gasslitter causes a sensation

South Tyrol has a new freestyle queen: Maria Gasslitter caused a sensation at her Olympic debut in Livigno in the slopestyle event. The competition culminated in a thrilling final for gold.

February 09, 2026

From: dl

Maria Gasslitter had already qualified for the grand final of the top 12 on Saturday. The 19-year-old from St. Ulrich ultimately finished tenth, making for a more than successful Olympic debut. For Gasslitter, it was her third-best result overall, following her fifth-place finish in slopestyle at this year's World Cup. However, the Games aren't over for the Val Gardena native; she will compete in the Big Air qualifier on Saturday.

Gasslitter scored 52,45 points in Livigno on Monday, achieved in the second of three rounds. She was already satisfied with her first run (50,33 points), clenching her fist after the final jump and then flashing a heart emoji at the camera. In the second run, Gasslitter took more risks. The only flaw: she touched the snow once. In the final round, the South Tyrolean then risked everything and fell on the last jump. Nevertheless, there was exuberant celebration at the finish line.

Maria Gasslitter at her Olympic debut in Livigno. © ANSA / ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Maria Gasslitter is the daughter of Petra Moroder, who participated in three Olympic Games in 1992, 1994, and 1998. She finished 11th, 22nd, and 22nd in the moguls event. Gasslitter's family was also at the Livigno snow park on Monday to support her.

Swiss woman snatches Gu Gold away

China's Eileen Gu and Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud battled for gold, with Gremaud ultimately winning by 0,38 points and repeating her success from Beijing 2022. Bronze went to Canada's Megan Oldham.

Top star Eileen Gu (left) was narrowly defeated by Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud. © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

The 22-year-old Gu, double Olympic champion in halfpipe and big air from Beijing, started with 86,59 points. In the second run, the two-time world champion and defending champion Gremaud struck back, taking the lead with 86,96 points and a 0,38 advantage over Gu. China's top star couldn't respond, and Gremaud celebrated her second Olympic gold medal one day after her 26th birthday.

Olympics in Livigno: Women's Slopestyle

Pos	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mathilde Gremaud	SUI	86,96
2.	Eileen Gu	CHN	86,58
3.	Megan Oldham	CAN	76,46
4.	Kirsty Muir	GBR	76.05
5.	Mengting Liu	CHN	67.46
6.	Giulia Tanno	SUI	65.85
7.	Naomi Urness	CAN	64.73
8.	Anni Karava	FIN	63.51
9.	Laura Wolf	TUE	56.60
10.	Maria Gasslitter	ITA/St. Ulrich	52.45