US Teen Ollie Martin Narrowly Misses Podium in Olympic Big Air Debut

2026-02-08 general

Livigno, Saturday, 7 February 2026.
The sole U.S. finalist, 17-year-old Ollie Martin finished fourth in his Olympic debut today, establishing himself as a top contender despite narrowly missing a medal in Livigno.

A Near-Miss in Livigno

In a high-stakes final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, 17-year-old Ollie Martin secured a fourth-place finish in the men’s snowboard big air competition, marking a formidable Olympic debut for the Colorado native [1][2]. While Martin fell just short of the podium, his performance solidified his status as a rising force in a field dominated by international talent. The event saw Japan’s Kira Kimura claim the gold medal, followed by his compatriot Ryoma Kimata taking silver, and China’s Su Yiming securing the bronze [2]. Martin, who was the sole American to advance to the finals, qualified ninth out of the 12 finalists before climbing the ranks in the medal round [2]. His finish denies Team USA an early snowboarding medal but highlights the technical progression of its youngest roster members.

Resilience Under Pressure

Martin’s journey to the final was characterized by significant psychological fortitude. During the qualifying round held earlier this week, the teenager faced immediate adversity after falling on his first run—a backside 1800 Indy—which earned him a score of just 19.75 [6][7]. Facing elimination, Martin demonstrated the composure of a veteran, successfully landing his subsequent two runs with scores of 82.25 and 85.25 [6]. This recovery yielded a total qualifying score of 167.5 (167.50), allowing him to secure ninth place and a ticket to the finals [3][6]. This ability to reset under Olympic pressure is particularly notable given his age; Martin is currently the youngest rider to have landed a 2160 rotation and the only snowboarder to execute both frontside and backside variations of the trick [1][4].

A Changing of the Guard

The dynamics of the U.S. snowboarding team suggest a shift in generational talent. While veterans like Red Gerard and Jake Canter did not qualify for the big air final—placing 20th and 15th respectively—Martin emerged as the team’s standout performer [6][7]. Gerard, now 25, has openly acknowledged Martin’s rapid ascent, noting, “Ollie’s his own beast and I look up to him… I look at what Ollie does, and I’m like, ‘Yo, how do I do that? That’s insane’” [1][8]. This mutual respect underscores a transition period for Team USA, where the accolades of the 2018 PyeongChang Games are giving way to a new wave of riders pushing the boundaries of rotation and amplitude.

Sources

Winter Olympics Snowboarding