OLYMPICS: Snowboard-China's Su advances, Norway's Roisland knocked out in first big air event

LIVIGNO, Italy – Defending big air Olympic champion Su Yiming of China advanced to the finals of the snowboarding competition at the 2026 Games on Thursday despite a shaky start, while 2022 silver medallist Mons Roisland of Norway failed to make the cut.

All four members of Japan’s powerhouse team also qualified for the finals, with Hiroto Ogiwara leading the pack and teammate Kira Kimura finishing third. The big air finals are set for Saturday in the Italian resort town of Livigno.

Su struggled on his first jump, falling on a landing he described as “not difficult.” He bounced back in the next two rounds, landing a long, high switch backside that secured him a fourth-place finish in the qualifiers.

“I was very disappointed in myself after the first jump,” Su said. “To have to deliver in the last two jumps, I had no room for error. I had to give each of them my all.”

The 21-year-old added, “After making the final, I will actually feel less pressure because I have already reached the stage to vie for the biggest prize.”

Roisland, despite showing technical precision in his first jump, fell at the end of his second run and ended 16th in the rankings. He remained positive about his performance.

“I just underestimated the level that was going to be out there today. It was just through the roof. Kudos to everyone today,” Roisland said.

Italy’s Ian Matteoli, 20, who is the first Italian to reach a World Cup podium, impressed the home crowd with a strong first-round jump that earned him loud applause. Despite a messy landing in his second round, Matteoli finished second in the qualifiers.

“Taking part in an Olympics at home is a great emotion,” Matteoli said. “It’s still difficult to come to grips with it.”

Earlier in the day, Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris, a three-time Olympic bronze medallist, withdrew from qualifying after hitting his head during a training run. His replacement, Australia’s Valentino Guselli, delivered three solid runs and earned a spot in the finals.

“It’s been a while since I put anything decent down in a big air competition,” Guselli said. “Perfect time to do it.”

-Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Giulia Segreti; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters