LIVIGNO, Italy — Austrian snowboarding legend Anna Gasser has officially secured her place in the Big Air finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, keeping her dreams of an unprecedented “three-peat” alive. On Monday, February 09, 2026, the two-time defending gold medalist demonstrated why she remains the sport’s most formidable competitor, qualifying for the final round with a combined score of 172.25.
A Final Quest for Olympic Immortality
At 34 years old, Gasser has confirmed that the 2026 Games will be her fourth and final Olympic appearance. Having won the inaugural women’s Big Air gold at PyeongChang 2018 and successfully defending her title at Beijing 2022, she now stands on the precipice of history. If she secures the gold in the upcoming finals, she will become the first snowboarder in Olympic history to win three consecutive gold medals in the same event.
The qualification round in Livigno saw Gasser maintain a steady lead through all three runs, landing identical scores of 82.25 on her second and third jumps. While she faces stiff competition from New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and a surging Japanese contingent, Gasser’s veteran composure and technical precision remain her greatest assets.
The Evolution of a Snowboarding Icon
Gasser’s journey to the top of the podium is unique in the world of professional snowboarding. A former gymnast, she did not begin snowboarding until the age of 18—a relatively late start for an elite athlete. However, her gymnastics background provided the spatial awareness necessary to revolutionize women’s freestyle riding.
Her career is defined by “firsts,” including:
- 2013: The first female snowboarder to land a Cab Double Cork 900.
- 2018: The first woman to land a triple cork, a feat that forever changed the ceiling of the sport.
- 2025: Secured her fifth X Games gold medal in Aspen, breaking the record for the most medals in the discipline.
What’s at Stake in the Finals
Beyond the potential for a third gold medal, Gasser is competing to cement a legacy that transcends statistics. Known for her “The Spark Within” documentary and her role as a pioneer for female riders, Gasser has stated she wants to “add a little spice” to her riding for her final Olympic performance. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether she will attempt a high-risk triple cork to outduel younger rivals in the final round.
As the snowboarding world turns its eyes to the Big Air finals later this week, Anna Gasser remains the “shining star” of her generation, looking for the perfect ending to a career that has redefined what is possible on a snowboard.