Livigno’s Big Air Competition
In the picturesque town of Livigno, Italy, Birk Ruud has taken an important step towards defending his title as Olympic big air champion. Competing in the qualifiers on Sunday, the 25-year-old Norwegian skier secured his place in the finals scheduled for Tuesday by finishing third among the elite group of 12 competitors. Ruud, who previously clinched gold at the Beijing Olympics four years earlier, also triumphed in the slopestyle event just this past Tuesday.
Qualifying Performance
During the qualifiers, Ruud showcased his skills with flair, performing a playful head-over-heels flip after successfully completing his first jump. Reflecting on his performance, he shared:
“It was a really good qualifying. I landed my two runs and felt real good about it. I expect a tough battle in the final; it’s going to be tight and there are going to be big tricks.”
Top Competitors
Leading the qualifiers was American skier Mac Forehand, who achieved an impressive score of 183 points from his two attempts. Austrian competitor Matej Svancer followed closely behind him. Among the contenders, New Zealand’s Luca Harrington, who captured bronze in the slopestyle event at these Games, placed fifth. However, American Alex Hall, who took silver in slopestyle, did not qualify for the finals.
Competition Format
To advance in big air competitions, skiers must execute two successful landings out of three jumps, with their top two scores collectively determining their ranking. The big air ramp in Livigno, towering over 40 meters (about 131 feet) and illuminated by floodlights, provides a breathtaking backdrop for this thrilling nighttime event.
