LIVIGNO, Italy — The eyes of the sporting world are on New Zealand’s snowboarding sensation Zoi Sadowski-Synnott as she prepares to defend her Olympic title at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Following a weather-induced delay that reshuffled the Olympic schedule, the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle final is officially set to take place today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Sadowski-Synnott, who made history in Beijing 2022 as New Zealand’s first-ever Winter Olympic gold medalist, entered the 2026 Games as the heavy favorite. She has already secured a silver medal in the Big Air event earlier this month, further cementing her status as one of the most dominant forces in freestyle snowboarding.
Top Qualifier Performance
The 24-year-old Kiwi star dominated the qualifying rounds held on Sunday, February 15. Sadowski-Synnott “stomped” a statement run, posting the day’s highest score of 88.08. Her performance placed her at the top of the 12-rider field heading into the finals, ahead of Japan’s Kokomo Murase, who qualified second.
Despite the pressure of being the reigning champion, Sadowski-Synnott appeared composed during her qualifying heats, showcasing the technical precision and “triple cork” capability that has revolutionized the sport. “She looked right at home,” noted observers at the Livigno Snow Park, despite the challenging conditions that eventually led to event postponements.
Weather Delays and Schedule Changes
The final, originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, was postponed due to a heavy snowstorm in the Province of Sondrio. The storm played havoc with several freestyle events, including the freeski aerials. Olympic officials moved the slopestyle showdown to Wednesday morning to ensure athlete safety and optimal course conditions.
The Road to History
If Sadowski-Synnott secures the gold today, she will become a back-to-back Olympic champion in slopestyle, adding to an already legendary trophy case that includes:
- 2022 Beijing: Gold (Slopestyle), Silver (Big Air)
- 2018 PyeongChang: Bronze (Big Air)
- X Games: 11 medals, including six golds
- World Championships: Current Snowboard Slopestyle World Champion
The competition remains fierce, with Japan’s Kokomo Murase—the 2026 Big Air gold medalist—looking to claim her second title of these Games. Other top contenders include Mia Brookes and Ally Hickman, though Sadowski-Synnott’s qualifying form suggests she remains the rider to beat.
Fans in New Zealand and around the globe are tuning in as the “Kiwi Bird” looks to fly high once again and bring home her fifth career Olympic medal.