LIVIGNO, Italy — American freeskiing sensation Troy Podmilsak narrowly missed the podium at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, finishing in fourth place during a high-stakes Men’s Big Air final held on 17 February 2026.
The 21-year-old Park City native, known to fans as “T-Pod,” entered the finals as a dark horse after qualifying in 10th position. Despite the heavy snowfall at the Livigno Air Park, Podmilsak delivered a “monster” opening run that earned a 90.50, briefly putting him in contention for a medal. He concluded the three-run final with a combined score of 164.25, ultimately landing just outside the top three as Norway’s Tormod Frostad and teammate Mac Forehand dominated the leaderboard.
Olympic Journey and Performance
Podmilsak’s path to the 2026 finals was a testament to resilience. After a disqualification at the Steamboat Big Air event in December 2025 cast doubt on his Olympic qualification, he secured his spot on the U.S. roster through consistent performances in the early 2025/26 FIS season, including a victory at the season opener in Secret Garden, China.
During Tuesday’s final, Podmilsak showcased the technical precision that previously earned him the 2023 World Championship title. While his final jump of the night scored a 94.00—his highest of the competition—it was not enough to leapfrog the podium leaders in a field described by analysts as a “battle royale.”
Career Highlights and Background
Podmilsak has been a rising star in the freestyle skiing world since his teenage years. His rapid ascent includes several historic milestones:
- 2026 Winter Olympics: 4th Place, Men’s Freeski Big Air.
- 2025 FIS World Cup: 1st Place, Secret Garden (Season Opener).
- 2024 X Games: Big Air Gold Medallist.
- 2023 FIS World Championships: Gold Medallist in Big Air (Bakuriani).
- 2022 Junior World Championships: Double Gold Medallist in Big Air and Slopestyle.
Originally from Virginia before moving to Park City, Utah, Podmilsak is recognized for his ability to land triple and quadruple corks with exceptional height. While he leaves Milan without a medal, his fourth-place finish cements his status as one of the premier big air specialists in the world heading into the next World Cup cycle.
The U.S. Freeski team continues its Olympic campaign this week, with Podmilsak expected to remain a central figure in the sport’s progression toward the 2030 Games.