Narooma Snowboard Star Valentino Guseli Soars into Olympic Big Air Finals
Young Australian snowboard sensation Valentino Guseli has clinched a dramatic place in the finals of the Olympic big air event with a monster jump that left spectators in awe. The 20-year-old from Narooma delivered a stunning performance in Livigno, Italy, securing his spot with a score of 91.50 on his third and final attempt.
A Last-Minute Opportunity Seized
Guseli's journey to the finals was anything but straightforward. He was granted a surprise start in the event only after Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris withdrew due to injury. As first reserve, Guseli stepped up to become the first Australian competitor at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, embracing the unexpected honour with remarkable composure.
"With competitors in big air launching off a ramp built on scaffolding that rises more than 50 metres above the course, Guseli soared and spun before nailing his landing," observers noted. His combined total of 163.0 points earned him equal second-best score of the day, cementing the last available position in the 12-man final.
The Road to Qualification
After scoring 73.25 on his first run and 71.50 on his second, Guseli knew he needed something extraordinary to qualify for Sunday's final. He threw his snowboard into the air in delight after executing a flawless jump that showcased both technical precision and aerial artistry.
The qualification round was dominated by Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara, who led the field with 178.5 points. Ogiwara made history at the 2025 Aspen X Games by landing the first 2340-degree jump (six-and-a-half rotations) in competition. Home favourite Ian Matteoli placed second in qualifying with 174.5 points, giving Italian fans plenty to cheer about.
Overcoming Adversity
Guseli's Olympic campaign has been marked by resilience. He originally aimed to compete in three events in Italy – big air, slopestyle and halfpipe – but an ACL injury in late 2024 prevented him from qualifying for the first two disciplines. Despite this setback, he remains a strong medal contender in the halfpipe, having won a World Cup event in Calgary and placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics where he made his debut.
The young snowboarder follows in the footsteps of Australian legend Torah Bright, who became the first person to compete in three snowboard disciplines at a single Olympics when she lined up at Sochi in 2014. Bright won silver in the halfpipe that year, setting a high standard for Australian snowboarding.
Competitive Landscape and Future Prospects
Three New Zealanders – Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson and Dane Menzies – also qualified for the finals, ensuring strong Australasian representation in the event. Meanwhile, Mark McMorris's participation in slopestyle remains uncertain as he recovers from his training crash in Livigno. The Canadian veteran, who has won bronze in slopestyle at the past three Olympics, suffered life-threatening injuries in 2017 and has since competed with significant hardware in his body.
Guseli's qualification for the big air finals does not guarantee him a start in slopestyle, as McMorris retains the opportunity to recover and compete. This adds another layer of complexity to the young Australian's Olympic journey.
As the snowboarding community watches closely, Valentino Guseli has already made his mark on the Milan-Cortina Olympics with a performance that combines raw talent, determination, and the ability to seize opportunity when it presents itself.
