Kirsty Muir narrowly misses podium in Big Air final
Kirsty Muir finished fourth in the freestyle skiing Big Air final at Livigno Snow Park, narrowly missing out on a podium spot for the second time in a week, ending just 3.5 points behind Italian bronze medallist Flora Tabanelli, reports BritPanorama.
The 21-year-old from Aberdeen suffered a setback when she crashed while attempting her third and final run—a challenging double 1440 with a tailgrab that she had never landed before.
Muir’s total score of 174.75 points from her best two attempts fell short in a highly competitive field that showcased remarkable performances throughout the evening.
This result adds to Team GB’s tally of five fourth-place finishes at these Winter Games, further compounded by Muir’s near-miss in slopestyle last week, where only 0.41 points separated her from a bronze medal.
Despite the disappointment, Muir maintained a gracious outlook on her performance. “I enjoyed it quite a lot,” she stated, adding, “I’m really proud of myself for putting the two tricks down that I did and also going for it in that third one because I’ve never landed that trick before but I just had to go for it. I crashed, but I’m still proud of myself.”
Explaining her decision to attempt such an ambitious final jump, Muir noted, “When the scores came in for the other girls I knew I had to give it something really, really good to get on that podium, so I’m stoked that I did try that.”
She also acknowledged the exceptional performance of gold medallist Megan Oldham, calling her competitors “my besties” and describing Oldham’s run as “unbelievable.” Muir’s standout effort came during her second run, which featured a stunning double cork 1620 earning her 93.00 points—the third highest score of the event.
After starting with a less impressive first attempt worth 81.75 points, Muir managed to elevate her position though dramatic shifts occurred in the final moments—China’s Eileen Gu clinched silver with 179.00 points after a strong final run, while Tabanelli posted the highest score of the night with 94.25 points.
The competition was marked by delays of over 75 minutes due to a blizzard affecting the Alpine venue. Ground staff worked tirelessly to clear the course as heavy snow continued to fall when the event resumed.
Further complications arose when two-time slopestyle champion Mathilde Gremaud withdrew following a training accident, removing a significant contender from the final.
In the end, Canada’s Oldham secured the gold medal with a commanding total of 180.75 points, extending her formidable winning streak in Big Air since the Beijing Olympics. This leaves Muir reflecting on both her commendable efforts and the precariousness that makes winter sports thrilling yet unforgiving.
In the unpredictable world of winter sports, where triumph often coexists alongside profound disappointment, Muir’s resolve stands out. Her journey serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence, reminding us that each attempt—successful or not—draws us closer to the summit of our ambitions.
