Heartbreak in Livigno: Kirsty Muir Misses Big Air Medal by Inches
Kirsty Muir came agonizingly close to a historic Winter Olympic medal yet again, finishing fourth in the women’s freestyle skiing big air final at Livigno. At just 21, Muir has now recorded her second near-miss of these Games, following an equally tight fourth-place in the slopestyle earlier this week. Her combined score of 174.75 points left her just 3.5 points behind Italy’s Flora Tabanelli, who claimed bronze in a dramatic final jump.
The competition was a rollercoaster from the start. A heavy blizzard delayed the event by over an hour, creating challenging conditions for all athletes. Some top contenders, including Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud, withdrew due to injury, seemingly opening the door for new medal contenders. Muir qualified fourth for the final, but the first round saw a surge of high scores, pushing her into seventh. Knowing she needed a standout performance, Muir delivered a breathtaking 1620 trick with four and a half rotations in her second run, earning 93 points and temporarily lifting her into silver medal position.
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The drama intensified in the final rounds. China’s Eileen Gu, returning to big air competition after four years, overcame an earlier struggle to secure silver, while Tabanelli, competing despite a recent ACL injury, executed an impeccable final jump to clinch bronze. Muir’s final attempt—a daring 1620 with a new grab—ended in a crash, leaving her outside the medals once more. Despite the heartbreak, she reflected proudly on her performance, highlighting her willingness to take risks and push her limits.
This fourth-place finish marks a recurring theme for Team GB at the Milan-Cortina Games. In addition to Muir, snowboarder Mia Brookes and several curling and skeleton teams have narrowly missed podiums, creating mounting pressure to meet the minimum medal targets set before the Games. Yet, Britain has also celebrated remarkable success, including three gold medals, with historic achievements in snow events and skeleton.
Muir’s performance underscores the fine margins that define Olympic competition. A single mistake, or a few points difference, can transform a moment of triumph into heartbreak. For Team GB, it’s a testament to resilience and determination, particularly for athletes challenging the very limits of their sport under extreme weather and high-stakes pressure.
As the Games continue, all eyes will remain on Team GB’s remaining events, including freestyle skiing halfpipe and other medal opportunities. Kirsty Muir’s journey reminds us of the drama, the courage and the relentless pursuit of excellence that define the Winter Olympics. Stay with us for the latest updates and continue watching as these athletes chase their Olympic dreams on the snowy peaks of Livigno.
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