Eileen Gu Loses Big Air Title in Olympic Upset

Bassyonni

Published: February 16, 2026 6:40 PM ET

Eileen Gu Loses Big Air Title in Olympic Upset

Eileen Gu faced a challenging competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, ultimately finishing with a silver medal in the women’s freeski big air event. The gold medal was claimed by Canada’s Megan Oldham, while Italy’s Flora Tabanelli secured bronze.

Eileen Gu’s Performance Overview

In the big air finals, Gu, who was born in the United States but represents China, achieved a score of 90.0 on her first run. This score placed her third in the standings, trailing behind Oldham and Austria’s Lara Wolf.

Deciding Runs

Gu’s second run saw her score drop significantly to 61.25, momentarily pushing her out of medal contention. With only her third run remaining, Gu needed a strong performance to defend her title.

In her final attempt, Gu scored 89.00. Combined with her earlier score, she totaled 179.0, securing second place but falling short of Oldham’s score of 180.75.

Impact of Weather and Competition Dynamics

The event faced delays due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy snowfall. After Gu’s performance, there were still six competitors left, including England’s Kirsty Muir. Muir had an opportunity to surpass Gu but fell during her landing, solidifying Oldham’s lead.

Background on Eileen Gu

Earlier in the 2026 Olympics, Gu also earned a silver medal in the slopestyle event. Gu previously won gold in the same big air event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and maintained a rigorous training schedule for her halfpipe competition during the big air finals.

Recent Achievements and Endorsements

Gu’s switch from U.S. to Chinese representation in 2019 garnered significant attention. In her Olympic debut in 2022, she won multiple medals, including two golds in freeski events. Her prominence has led to lucrative endorsement deals, making her one of the highest-paid athletes, with reported earnings reaching $6.6 million from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau alone.