LIVIGNO, Italy — In a display of both immense talent and agonizing misfortune, Team GB’s Kirsty Muir finished fourth in the women’s freestyle skiing Big Air final on Monday, February 16 2026. This marks the second time in a week that the 21-year-old Scottish sensation has narrowly missed the podium at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Muir, who also finished fourth in the slopestyle event earlier in the Games, entered the Big Air final as a top medal contender. After a spectacular second jump—a massive 1620 that earned a score of 93.0, the third-highest of the entire competition—Muir held a provisional silver medal position heading into the final round.
A Dramatic Final in Livigno
The competition, held in the Italian Alps, was delayed due to weather conditions but delivered high-octane drama once underway. Muir’s performance was a testament to her progression since the Beijing 2022 Games, where she finished fifth. On Monday, she landed a right-side double cork 1080 with a safety grab to take an early lead, but the final round proved decisive.
Attempting to secure her spot on the podium, Muir crashed during her third and final run. She was ultimately overtaken by Chinese superstar Eileen Gu and the Italian world champion Flora Tabanelli, who claimed bronze on home soil. Muir finished with a total score that left her just outside the medals for the second time in eight days.
“Really Proud” Despite the Tears
A tearful Muir spoke to reporters following the event, expressing a mix of pride and disappointment. “I can ski as best as I can ski. I can’t control what the other girls can do, and in the moment they had better tricks on the day,” Muir said. Despite the “cruelest finish” occurring twice, the Aberdeen-born skier noted she was “really proud” of the technical difficulty she brought to the 2026 Games.
Muir’s journey to the 2026 Olympics has been marked by consistent growth on the World Cup circuit and a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships. Known as a “one in a generation athlete,” she has become the face of British freestyle skiing, training under the mentorship of Olympic champion Sarah Hoefflin.
The Future of Team GB’s Freeski Star
At just 21 years old, Muir remains one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. Her two fourth-place finishes in Milano Cortina represent the best results for a British skier at these Games so far, even if they come with the sting of missing out on hardware.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, Muir’s resilience has captured the attention of fans worldwide. While she leaves Livigno without a medal, her ability to land some of the most difficult tricks in women’s freeskiing—including the double cork 1440 and 1620—solidifies her status as a world-class competitor heading into the next Olympic cycle.
Key Results: Women’s Freeski Big Air – Feb 15 2026
- Gold: Mathilde Gremaud (SUI)
- Silver: Eileen Gu (CHN)
- Bronze: Flora Tabanelli (ITA)
- Fourth: Kirsty Muir (GBR)