Winter Olympics 2026: Ogiwara Hiroto and Ian Matteoli ease into snowboard big air finals - daily results

The energy crackled around the Milano Cortina 2026 snow park today. If you've ever stood at the base of a Big Air ramp, you know the feeling—a hushed anticipation followed by the roar of the crowd as a rider launches skyward. Day three of the Snowboard program was all about precision and calculated risk, and two names dominated the conversation: Japan's Ogiwara Hiroto and Italy's own Ian Matteoli.

In a qualifying round designed to separate the cautious from the bold, Ogiwara and Matteoli delivered near-perfect runs, securing their spots in the highly anticipated finals with seemingly effortless grace. Their performances weren't just good; they were definitive statements about who is currently dominating the competitive landscape of Olympic Big Air snowboarding. They topped the leaderboard early, allowing them to cruise through the final runs while competitors fought desperately for the remaining qualification spots.

The Dominant Duo – Ogiwara's Technical Mastery Meets Matteoli's Home Advantage

While 30 competitors vied for just 12 coveted spots, Ogiwara Hiroto set the pace early. Known for his technical mastery and seemingly endless rotation repertoire, the Japanese sensation landed a staggering Cab 1800 Triple Cork on his first run. The flawless execution, combined with massive air time, immediately earned him the highest score of the day—a blistering 93.50.

What makes Ogiwara so consistent is not just the dizzying amount of spin, but the clean landings and the perfect style score. His first run was so powerful that he was effectively qualified. He used his second and third runs strategically, opting for slightly less aggressive tricks to conserve energy, a crucial element heading into the high-stakes finals.

Then came the local hero, Ian Matteoli. The crowd erupted the moment Matteoli dropped in, feeling the pressure and expectation of representing the host nation. Matteoli's approach favored impeccable style and massive amplitude. He opted for a Backside 1620 Melon grab, holding the grab deep and showcasing textbook steeze. His scores, while slightly lower than Ogiwara's technical masterpiece, were boosted significantly by the amplitude and style marks, confirming his place comfortably in second overall.

Matteoli's ability to handle the home-country pressure is perhaps the biggest takeaway from today's qualification. This young Italian rider looks poised for a serious podium contention, and the raw energy he brought to the slope was infectious. He showed the world that while the Japanese contingent brings precision, the Europeans bring aggressive style.

The ease with which these two athletes navigated the qualifying gauntlet suggests they have more challenging tricks in reserve, setting the stage for an explosive final round.

Daily Results Breakdown – Navigating the Qualification Gauntlet

The Big Air qualification demands that riders combine the scores of their two best, non-repeated tricks out of three attempts. This format ensures that versatility and consistency are rewarded over single-trick luck. The cut-off point hovered around the 170-mark for the majority of the competition, creating intense drama for those vying for the final few berths.

The top five riders managed total scores well above 180, indicating a clear tier of elite performance. Below them, a fierce battle raged, with several contenders swapping places in the standings with every rotation. The judges were strict, demanding perfection in the landing zone and full rotation completion.

Top 12 Finalists (Total Qualifying Scores):

• 1. Ogiwara Hiroto (JPN): 185.75 (Secured with two 90+ scores)
• 2. Ian Matteoli (ITA): 183.25 (Masterful amplitude and control)
• 3. Lucas Kautto (FIN): 179.50 (Consistent triple cork attempts)
• 4. Kai Schmit (SUI): 178.90 (Smooth execution, strong grabs)
• 5. Ethan Davies (CAN): 177.10 (Powerful switch frontside tricks)
• 6. Alex Tremaine (USA): 175.50
• 7. Dmitry Volkov (OAR): 174.90
• 8. Max Gruber (AUT): 173.25
• 9. Sacha Lefevre (FRA): 172.50
• 10. Toshi Naka (JPN): 171.80 (Japan gets a second strong finalist)
• 11. Benji Roth (USA): 171.10 (Squeezed in on the last run)
• 12. Jian Li (CHN): 170.85 (The final bubble rider, clinching the spot by 0.2 points)

The heartbreak of the day belonged to Norway's Lars Helvik, the former X-Games medalist. After a strong first run, Helvik needed a mid-80s score on his crucial third attempt but slipped upon landing a Backside 1440, falling just 0.2 points shy of qualification. This is the Olympic drama we live for—where fractions of a score determine years of preparation and medal hopes.

What was particularly notable about the field was the relentless increase in difficulty level. Gone are the days when a clean double cork guarantees a spot; riders must now routinely incorporate 1620s and 1800s to remain competitive at the Olympic level. The technical execution displayed by the finalists promises an absolutely epic showdown on Friday.

Setting the Stage for the Finals – Medal Hopes, Rivalries, and Strategy

With the qualifying rounds concluded, all eyes now turn to the finals scheduled for Friday evening under the floodlights. The dynamic changes significantly in the final round. Riders must land three non-repeated tricks, with the best two scores counting towards their medal tally. This demands variety, extremely high-risk execution, and serious nerves.

Ogiwara and Matteoli enter as the undeniable favorites, but the final often introduces wildcards. Lucas Kautto of Finland, consistently delivering high 80s scores, looks strong enough to split the top two. Moreover, the pressure on Matteoli to deliver a medal on home soil will be immense, potentially influencing his strategic run choices. If the local star attempts too much, too soon, it could open the door for Schmit or Kautto.

For Ogiwara, the strategy will be maximizing the difficulty coefficient. Rumors suggest he has been training a clean 1980 attempt—a trick only landed a handful of times in competition history. If he can cleanly integrate this high-difficulty trick, the gold medal is surely his to lose. His primary rivals remain the consistent European contenders, who often prioritize perfect grabs and style over extreme rotation.

The Final Showdown: Key Strategic Considerations

The athletes who make the podium will be those who successfully navigate the fine line between innovation and landing reliability. A few specific strategic matchups bear watching, particularly between the top five:

• Risk Management: Will Matteoli push for a massive 1800 to challenge Ogiwara directly on technical merit, or stick to his perfect 1620s and rely on unbeatable style points and amplitude?
• The Opener: A strong opening trick is vital. Landing a big trick immediately sends a message to the judges and competitors, establishing early dominance.
• Consistency of the American Contenders: Benji Roth and Alex Tremaine both struggled slightly in qualification but have the capacity to pull out a massive score when it counts. They will need to hit back-to-back 90-plus runs to challenge the top tier.

The intensity of Olympic Big Air is unique. In a sport where a fraction of a score can separate gold from fourth place, the focus over the next 48 hours will be intense mental preparation and visualization. The stage is set for a truly historic final at the Winter Olympics 2026, promising the highest level of snowboard talent ever assembled.

Stay tuned for our comprehensive analysis of the final round results this Friday. If today's breathtaking qualifying performances are anything to go by, we are in for an Olympic treat of unprecedented amplitude and technical skill.

Winter Olympics 2026: Ogiwara Hiroto and Ian Matteoli ease into snowboard big air finals - daily results

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