# Birk Ruud Soars to Historic Double-Gold, Defending Big Air Title at Milano Cortina 2026

URL: https://technosports.co.in/birk-ruud-soars-to-historic-big-air/  
Published: 2026-02-17  
Updated: 2026-02-17  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

LIVIGNO, ITALY – Freestyle skiing sensation Birk Ruud of Norway has cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, delivering a breathtaking performance to successfully defend his Olympic Big Air title at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The dramatic victory at the spectacular Livigno Snow Park completed a legendary run for the 25-year-old, as he secured a rare and coveted Olympic “double-gold,” having already claimed the Slopestyle title just one week prior.

The Men’s Freestyle Skiing Big Air final, held under floodlights on a crisp evening, was an electrifying contest that pushed the limits of rotational difficulty and clean execution. Ruud, already the reigning Olympic Big Air champion from Beijing 2022, entered the final focused on holding his crown against a stacked field of competitors.

## The Big Air Masterclass: Triple Corks and Pressure Landings

Under immense pressure, Ruud delivered a masterclass in aerial precision, combining two near-perfect scoring runs that featured massive triple cork variations, technical grab combinations, and flawless switch landings. His combined score of 189.50 edged out his rivals in what proved to be a razor-thin final.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1059.png)

The competition was fierce, with American Mac Forehand, the top qualifier, pushing the pace with explosive jumps. Forehand ultimately secured the silver medal with a score of 186.75, while Austria’s Matěj Švancer rounded out the podium with 183.25 points to claim the bronze.

- **Gold:** Birk Ruud (Norway) – 189.50
- **Silver:** Mac Forehand (United States) – 186.75
- **Bronze:** Matěj Švancer (Austria) – 183.25

## Slopestyle Triumph Sets the Stage for History

Ruud’s historic Big Air defense followed a hard-fought victory in the Slopestyle event on February 10. That final was marked by challenging weather conditions, including flat light and low visibility, which caused numerous competitors to struggle on the unforgiving course. However, Ruud rose above the elements, landing one of the few flawless opening runs of the day.

His decisive first-run score of 86.28 proved untouchable, setting a daunting standard that competitors like the USA’s Alex Hall (silver medalist) and New Zealand’s Luca Harrington (bronze medalist) could not quite match. Securing the Slopestyle gold was a monumental achievement in its own right, joining his Beijing Big Air title.

## Joining an Elite Group of Olympic Champions

With his victories in both Slopestyle and Big Air at the Milano Cortina Games, Ruud joins an elite group of athletes who have won multiple Olympic gold medals in the same Games. This double triumph confirms his place as the dominant force in freestyle skiing and significantly reinforces his legacy on the world stage. Ruud now holds three Olympic gold medals in total, a testament to his versatility and competitive longevity in the sport’s two most dynamic disciplines.

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