Mac Forehand Secures Silver, Showcases U.S. Talent in Olympic Big Air Final

Team USA’s Mac Forehand claimed a silver medal in the men’s Big Air final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, finishing just behind Norway’s Tormod Frostad. Frostad, competing in his second Olympics, held the lead for much of the final with impressive early runs, scoring 95.25 and 97 points. He ultimately clinched gold with a total of 195.50, narrowly missing a perfect 200.

Forehand made a dramatic surge in the competition with his second-to-last jump, landing a nose butter triple cork 2160 and earning 98.25 points. His effort temporarily put him ahead, thrilling fans and showcasing his technical skill and composure under pressure. Austria’s Matej Svancer rounded out the podium with 191.25 points, taking the bronze.

Forehand’s Silver Highlights U.S. Progress and Challenges in Olympic Freeski Events

The final also saw unexpected challenges for other top competitors. Defending champion Birk Ruud of Norway suffered two crashes and finished eighth with 118.25 points, highlighting the unpredictability of the Big Air event.

Forehand’s silver marks just the second medal for the U.S. in freeski and snowboarding park events at these Games, emphasizing the nation’s growing competitiveness in freestyle skiing. Earlier in the Olympics, he competed in the men’s freeski slopestyle, finishing 11th, but his Big Air performance solidified him as a standout athlete for Team USA.

With his podium finish, Mac Forehand demonstrated both technical mastery and resilience, earning recognition as one of the United States’ most promising freestyle skiing talents on the Olympic stage.