Valentino Guseli Secures Dramatic Olympic Big Air Finals Berth with Last-Minute Entry
Australian snowboard sensation Valentino Guseli has produced a stunning performance to clinch a place in the finals of the Olympic big air event, achieving this remarkable feat after only receiving a start when another athlete withdrew from competition. The 20-year-old phenom delivered under immense pressure during his third and final jump at Livigno's Snow Park, scoring an impressive 91.50 to cement the last available spot in the 12-man final.
Clutch Performance Under Pressure
After posting scores of 73.25 on his first run and 71.50 on his second attempt, Guseli knew he needed something extraordinary to qualify for Sunday morning's final (0530 AEDT). With competitors launching from a ramp built on scaffolding that rises more than 50 metres above the course, Guseli soared through the air with precision and style before nailing his landing perfectly.
The young Australian threw his snowboard into the air in celebration after securing what became the equal second-best score of the qualifying session, achieving a combined total of 163.0 points. This performance marked a particularly significant achievement given Guseli's limited preparation time and unexpected entry into the competition.
Finding the Flow State
Guseli described reaching what athletes call a "flow state" during his crucial final jump. "I reached a state that I haven't been in in quite a while, called 'flow state', and I could see it all just happened for me," Guseli explained to Nine Network. "And sometimes that just happens, you know, you drop in, and then it's like you didn't even have to try. And the trick just works."
The snowboarder elaborated on his unusual preparation circumstances, revealing: "So today, we basically still weren't sure when we went and did this, but I haven't really hit many jumps in the last little while. So I went over to the little baby park over there, hit the only jumps available, which were pretty small and worked on my tricks."
"And then yeah, by the time I did my last jump, I'd only hit this jump 10 times, which usually you've hit it like maybe 50 or 60 times by the time you're more by the time you compete on it," Guseli continued. "So to have made finals now is just I'm so stoked about it. And yeah, definitely one of the top moments of my life."
International Competition and Australian Context
Hiroto Ogiwara led a strong three-man Japanese contingent in the qualifying field with a top score of 178.5 points, while three New Zealanders - Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson and Dane Menzies - also secured their places in the finals. Ogiwara holds a notable record from the 2025 Aspen X Games where he landed the first 2340-degree jump (six-and-a-half rotations) in competitive snowboarding history.
Home favourite Ian Matteoli delighted Italian fans by qualifying second with 174.5 points, adding to the international drama of the competition.
Guseli received the surprise honour of becoming the first Australian to compete at the Milan-Cortina Olympics after being granted a start into the event on the actual day of competition. The young athlete had originally harboured ambitions of competing in three events in Italy - big air, slopestyle and halfpipe - but injuries prevented him from qualifying for the first two disciplines.
Injury Challenges and Future Prospects
The Australian snowboarder suffered an ACL injury in late 2024, which significantly impacted his preparation and qualification prospects for multiple events. Despite these setbacks, Guseli remains considered a strong medal chance in the halfpipe discipline, having previously won a World Cup event in Calgary and placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics where he made his debut.
Guseli entered the big air competition as first reserve and received the nod following the withdrawal of Canadian veteran Mark McMorris due to injury. McMorris, who has won bronze in slopestyle at the past three Olympic Games, was carried off on a stretcher after crashing during training in Livigno.
The 32-year-old Canadian has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, having suffered life-threatening injuries in 2017 after crashing into a tree while snowboarding. McMorris continues to compete with a rod in his leg, a plate in his arm, and another plate in his jaw, and has expressed hope on social media that he will recover in time to compete in the slopestyle event.
Historical Australian Context
Australia's Torah Bright made history at the 2014 Sochi Olympics by becoming the first person to compete in three snowboard disciplines at a single Games, participating in halfpipe, slopestyle and snowboard cross. Bright secured a silver medal in the halfpipe during those Games, setting a precedent for Australian snowboarding excellence on the Olympic stage.
While qualification for big air and slopestyle are linked in the Olympic format, Guseli is not guaranteed a start in slopestyle, as McMorris has been given the opportunity to recover and potentially compete in that event. This creates additional uncertainty and drama surrounding the Australian's Olympic campaign as the Games progress.
