Article courtesy olympics.com.au
Valentino Guseli wasn’t expecting to compete in Big Air at Milano Cortina 2026 two days ago.
But after receiving a last-minute call up when Canadian star Mark McMorris withdrew due to injury, the 20-year-old not only stepped into the Men’s Big Air event and qualified for the final on Saturday evening, he delivered a gutsy top-10 finish on the world’s biggest sporting stage with almost no Big Air preparation.
“I was stoked to be out there, I had a lot of fun riding,” Guseli said. “I left it all out there… I couldn't have tried harder or, wanted it more. So yeah, no regrets.
“[Mark McMorris] went out, and I came in, so essentially I had his spot and I wanted to do something special with his spot, out of respect for him.”
Guseli opened the final with a Switch Backside 1800 Nosegrab, but was unable to ride out the landing cleanly, scoring 23.00.
He went big on his second jump, successfully landing a Switch Backside 1980 Tail Grab for only the third time in his career. The last time he landed it was just two nights earlier to book his ticket into the Olympic final. His score of 86.75 was the fourth-highest scoring trick of the night.
Entering the final round in eighth place, the Aussie went for a huge Backside 1980 Indy Grab, but unfortunately, he came in just a quarter rotation short missing the landing and catching a backside edge to finish the night with a total score of 103.25 in 10th place overall.
Despite the landing, Guseli said he walked away proud of the risks he took.
“I think the level was so high that everyone just had to go all in and throw the biggest stuff they could and I know that I definitely threw the best stuff that I could,” he said.
“It was the third time I landed the Switchback 19 ever in my life... And it was the first time I ever tried the back 19 - which was the last trick that I crashed on, unfortunately.”
Japan dominated the Big Air podium, with Kira Kimura taking gold (179.50) and Ryoma Kimata winning silver (171.50). China’s Yiming Su claimed bronze (168.50).
Guseli will now turn his attention to his main event – the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe – with official training getting underway on Sunday before qualifies on Wednesday, alongside fellow Aussie Scotty James.
“I think I'll definitely be more comfortable by the time the Halfpipe rolls around,” he said.
“Hopefully we can both get up there and make Australia proud.”
IMAGE COPYRIGHT CHRIS HOCKING
Valentino Guseli wasn’t expecting to compete in Big Air at Milano Cortina 2026 two days ago.
But after receiving a last-minute call up when Canadian star Mark McMorris withdrew due to injury, the 20-year-old not only stepped into the Men’s Big Air event and qualified for the final on Saturday evening, he delivered a gutsy top-10 finish on the world’s biggest sporting stage with almost no Big Air preparation.
“I was stoked to be out there, I had a lot of fun riding,” Guseli said. “I left it all out there… I couldn't have tried harder or, wanted it more. So yeah, no regrets.
“[Mark McMorris] went out, and I came in, so essentially I had his spot and I wanted to do something special with his spot, out of respect for him.”
Guseli opened the final with a Switch Backside 1800 Nosegrab, but was unable to ride out the landing cleanly, scoring 23.00.
He went big on his second jump, successfully landing a Switch Backside 1980 Tail Grab for only the third time in his career. The last time he landed it was just two nights earlier to book his ticket into the Olympic final. His score of 86.75 was the fourth-highest scoring trick of the night.
Entering the final round in eighth place, the Aussie went for a huge Backside 1980 Indy Grab, but unfortunately, he came in just a quarter rotation short missing the landing and catching a backside edge to finish the night with a total score of 103.25 in 10th place overall.
Despite the landing, Guseli said he walked away proud of the risks he took.
“I think the level was so high that everyone just had to go all in and throw the biggest stuff they could and I know that I definitely threw the best stuff that I could,” he said.
“It was the third time I landed the Switchback 19 ever in my life... And it was the first time I ever tried the back 19 - which was the last trick that I crashed on, unfortunately.”
Japan dominated the Big Air podium, with Kira Kimura taking gold (179.50) and Ryoma Kimata winning silver (171.50). China’s Yiming Su claimed bronze (168.50).
Guseli will now turn his attention to his main event – the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe – with official training getting underway on Sunday before qualifies on Wednesday, alongside fellow Aussie Scotty James.
“I think I'll definitely be more comfortable by the time the Halfpipe rolls around,” he said.
“Hopefully we can both get up there and make Australia proud.”
IMAGE COPYRIGHT CHRIS HOCKING
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