Svancer knew at the finish line that this might be enough. © APA / EXPA/ JOHANN GRODER

Big Air: Austrian jumps to bronze

Matej Svancer became the first Austrian freestyle skier to win a medal at the Olympic Games in Italy.

February 17, 2026

From: apa

The 21-year-old was delighted to win bronze at the Big Air competition in Livigno Snow Park. In a final of impressive quality on Tuesday, only Norway's Tormod Frostad and the American Mac Forehand received higher scores. Frostad achieved 195,50 points, while Svancer had 191,25 after three jumps.

At times, heavy snowfall accompanied the finals scheduled for the evening. Svancer had qualified in second place with 182,25 points, meaning he started second to last. For a backward-running Tail Butter Triple Cork 1800 in his first run, a flight with five full rotations, Svancer received 91,75 points and was ranked fifth.

Even the heavy snowfall couldn't stop him. © ANSA / ALEX PLAVEVSKI

He then followed up with a Left Hand Drag Triple Cork 1980 – a trick no athlete had ever landed before. With 95,25 points, the previous season's overall World Cup winner improved to third place. Svancer capped off his aerial display with a Switch Left Tail Butter Triple Cork 2160, scoring a solid 96,0 points. However, Forehand received 98,25 points for his 21, keeping him ahead of the Austrian.