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Sport Nation
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott in form for Big Air gold
Sport Nation • February 9th, 2026 9:47 am
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/Photosport
New Zealand flagbearer Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's campaign for a third successive medal in the women's big air competition is in strong position after qualifying first for the 2026 Winter Olympics final.
Starting second, the 24-year-old set the tone early with the only solid score of 90 in the first run, courtesy of a clean switchback 1260, with Japan's Kokomo Murase the closet competitor with 86.25 points.
Fellow Kiwi Lucia Georgalli registered a 78.25 to be 11th after the opening run of three - the 19-year-old from Auckland is making her debut at Milano Cortina, but has previously medaled in the event during the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Lucia Georgalli on her first run at 2026 Milano Cortina Big Air qualifiers | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/Photosport
The top 12 riders of the 29-strong field cement their place in Tuesday's final, scheduled to begin 7.30am NZ time.
Sadowski-Synnott produced a backside double cork 1080 in her second run to score 82.25 and stay ahead of her rivals, while Georgalli's 38.75 dropped her down to 13th and needing a strong final performance to clinch a spot.
Having won silver (2022 Beijing) and bronze (2018 Pyeongchang), Sadowski-Synnott has eyes for gold - her third run similar to her second, the judges awarded the same score of 82.25 to cement her spot at the top with 172.25.
"I was a bit nervous coming into tonight, I'm not going to lie," Sadowski-Synnott told Sky Sport.
"It feels like even more competition when you have the full field. To put it down and make it through, I'm super happy."
Murase finished a single point behind Sadowski-Synnott on 171.25, while Great Britain's Mia Brookes stomped into second place on her final run, erasing a lacklustre first try to follow up 89 on run 2 with a 78 to be on 167 points.
Austria's Anna Gasser will look to defend her Olympic champion status after qualifying ninth.
Georgalli's final run featured a frontside 1080, but couldn't stick the landing to improve her score and finish 25th in her first senior Olympic competition.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott on leading New Zealand at the Winter Olympics | Scotty & Izzy
