Canadian freestyle skiing star Megan Oldham has etched her name into Olympic history by capturing the bronze medal in women's ski slopestyle at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The victory represents not only a personal triumph for the accomplished athlete but also a significant milestone for Canadian winter sports, ending a 12-year medal drought in this particular discipline.
The final competition, held on Monday, featured twelve of the world's most elite slopestyle skiers battling for supremacy on a challenging course that tested both technical precision and creative expression. The format allowed each finalist three separate runs, with only their highest single score determining their final placement—a structure that rewards both consistency and the willingness to push boundaries when it matters most.
Oldham's path to the podium was anything but straightforward, characterized by dramatic moments that showcased her resilience and competitive spirit. Her opening run established her as a legitimate medal contender right from the start, earning a solid score of 69.76 that immediately placed her in third position. This initial performance demonstrated her capability and set the foundation for what would become an increasingly dramatic competition.
However, the middle portion of her competition narrative took a concerning turn during her second descent. As she approached the final jump of her run, Oldham experienced a significant crash upon landing that left spectators and supporters holding their breath. The incident served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in freestyle skiing, where athletes routinely attempt complex aerial maneuvers at high speeds. Despite the setback, the crash would ultimately become a pivotal moment that fueled her determination rather than defining her competition.
Rising to the occasion when it counted most, Oldham delivered a masterful third and final run that would secure her Olympic bronze. Her performance began with exceptional fluidity through the opening rail section, where she demonstrated remarkable technical skiing ability and board control. The rails in slopestyle competitions require a unique blend of balance, creativity, and precision, and Oldham navigated them with apparent ease, setting a strong foundation for the jumps to come.
The jump sequence that followed was nothing short of spectacular. Oldham executed back-to-back double cork 1260s—a highly technical series of rotations that demands immense skill and courage. These maneuvers involve two off-axis flips combined with 1260 degrees of rotation, placing them among the most difficult tricks in women's slopestyle skiing. She concluded her run with a clean 900 tail grab, adding a stylish grab to her final rotation and demonstrating complete control throughout her entire performance. The judges rewarded her efforts with a score of 76.46, a significant improvement over her first run and enough to cement her position on the podium.
The gold medal was claimed by Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud, who delivered an exceptional second run scoring 86.96. Gremaud's victory marks her second consecutive Olympic gold in ski slopestyle, having also won the event at the previous Winter Games. Her dominance in the discipline is further highlighted by a silver medal from PyeongChang 2018, establishing her as one of the most decorated slopestyle skiers in Olympic history. China's Eileen Gu earned the silver medal with a first-run score of 86.58, continuing her impressive Olympic performance streak with her second consecutive slopestyle silver medal.
For Oldham, this bronze medal represents redemption and validation after experiencing heartbreak at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Four years earlier, she came agonizingly close to winning her first Olympic medal, finishing fourth in the women's big air competition—just one position shy of the podium. The disappointment was compounded when she missed qualifying for the slopestyle final by a single spot, leaving her Olympic debut without the hardware she had worked so tirelessly to achieve. The Milano Cortina bronze not only erases those past frustrations but also validates her perseverance and dedication to the sport.
The significance of Oldham's achievement extends beyond personal accomplishment, as it represents Canada's first Olympic medal in women's ski slopestyle since the event's introduction to the Winter Games at Sochi 2014. At those Games, Canada celebrated a remarkable double podium with Dara Howell capturing gold and Kim Lamarre taking bronze. The 12-year gap between medals underscores the increasing global competitiveness in freestyle skiing and makes Oldham's accomplishment all the more impressive.
Canada has a rich tradition in freestyle skiing, consistently producing world-class athletes who compete at the highest levels of international competition. The nation's investment in winter sports infrastructure and athlete development programs has created a pipeline of talent that continues to deliver results on the global stage. Oldham's medal adds to this proud legacy and serves as inspiration for the next generation of Canadian freestyle skiers dreaming of Olympic glory.
The technical progression in women's ski slopestyle has been remarkable over the past decade, with athletes continuously pushing the boundaries of what was once considered possible. The inclusion of double cork rotations, once rarely seen in women's competition, has become increasingly common among the elite performers. Oldham's successful execution of these difficult tricks demonstrates her position at the forefront of this progression and her commitment to advancing the sport.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games have provided a platform for established stars and emerging talents to showcase their abilities, and the women's ski slopestyle event exemplified the high level of competition that defines modern freestyle skiing. The narrow margin between medal positions—just 0.38 points separated gold from silver—highlights the precision required in judging and the minute details that can determine an athlete's fate.
Looking ahead, Oldham's bronze medal performance positions her as a key figure in Canadian freestyle skiing for the foreseeable future. At an age where many athletes reach their competitive peak, she has demonstrated the mental fortitude and technical skill necessary to succeed at the highest level. Her ability to overcome adversity, as shown by her response to the second-run crash, suggests a maturity that will serve her well in future competitions.
The impact of Olympic success extends far beyond the medal ceremony, often translating into increased support for the athlete's career, greater visibility for their sport, and inspiration for young participants across the country. Oldham's journey from the disappointment of Beijing to the podium in Milano Cortina embodies the Olympic spirit of perseverance and determination, making her story particularly compelling for aspiring athletes who face their own challenges and setbacks.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games continue, Canada celebrates another medal in its impressive Olympic history, while Megan Oldham savors a moment she has worked toward throughout her entire career. The bronze medal around her neck represents countless hours of training, numerous sacrifices, and an unwavering belief in her ability to compete with the world's best. In the demanding world of freestyle skiing, where success is measured in fractions of points and the margin for error is virtually nonexistent, Oldham has proven that resilience, skill, and determination can indeed lead to Olympic glory.
The women's ski slopestyle event at these Games will be remembered not only for the incredible athletic performances but also for the stories of redemption and triumph that unfolded on the snowy slopes of Italy. Megan Oldham's bronze medal journey—from fourth place heartbreak to podium glory—serves as a powerful reminder that in Olympic sport, perseverance often proves just as important as pure talent.