Americans Claim Gold in Mixed Team Aerials, Canadians Secure Fifth
The United States secured the gold medal in the mixed team aerials event at the Winter Olympics, reaffirming their title from 2022. The competition unfolded in Livigno under challenging weather conditions, with Switzerland taking home the silver and China claiming the bronze.
United States Triumphs in Mixed Team Aerials
The U.S. team, which included standout athletes Kaila Kuhn, Christopher Lillis, and Connor Curran, dominated the event with a total score of 325.35 points. This victory comes after a disappointing performance in the individual finals earlier in the week, where the U.S. athletes did not secure any medals.
Key Team Members
- Kaila Kuhn: Gold medallist at the 2025 world championships; fifth place in the Olympic women’s final.
- Christopher Lillis: Eighth place in the men’s final.
- Connor Curran: Twelfth place in the men’s final.
Canadian Team Finishes Fifth
The Canadian trio of Marion Thenault, Lewis Irving, and Miha Fontaine, who won bronze in the previous Olympics, faced a setback. They finished fifth with a score of 268.45 points, falling short of advancing to the superfinal by just 10.03 points.
Event Overview
The competition featured four top teams that qualified for the superfinal. Switzerland secured their spot, edging out Canada with strong performances, including one from men’s silver medallist Noe Roth.
Conditions and Challenges
Conditions in Livigno were less than ideal, with overcast skies and snow affecting visibility. This added difficulty for the competing athletes, particularly those attempting high-difficulty maneuvers.
China’s hopes for a medal were dashed by errors from their athletes, including crashes by top competitors Wang and Li Tianma during critical jumps.
About Aerials
Aerials has been a part of the Winter Olympic Games since 1994, featuring both men’s and women’s events, with mixed team events introduced in 2022. Athletes in this thrilling sport launch off a nearly vertical ramp, executing complex aerial rotations and reaching speeds over 65 km/h. Judging criteria include height, distance, style, degree of difficulty, and landing precision, with a top score of 150 available for each jump.
