McMorris Battles Back to Qualify for Slopestyle Final at Milano Cortina 2026
Livigno, Italy – Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris is heading to the final of the men’s slopestyle event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, demonstrating remarkable resilience after a crash during big air training. Despite initial doubts about his participation following injuries sustained in the crash – including a concussion and bruising – McMorris qualified in third place after delivering two strong runs on Sunday. He will be joined in Wednesday’s final by teammate Cameron Spalding, who qualified fifth. McMorris is bidding for his fourth consecutive Olympic medal in the event.
Mark McMorris Falls Short of Podium in Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Slopestyle
Livigno, Italy – Canada’s Mark McMorris, a three-time Olympic bronze medallist, finished eighth in the men’s snowboard slopestyle final at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, February 18th.
A Resilient Return to Competition
Remarkably, McMorris competed despite suffering a concussion, bone bruising near his pelvis and an abdominal strain during big-air training on February 4th.
Pro Tip: Returning from injury requires a phased approach, focusing on regaining strength, flexibility, and confidence before attempting competition-level runs. Athletes often work with specialized sports medicine teams to ensure a safe and effective recovery.
He was cleared to compete in slopestyle last week after a period of recovery, and impressively finished third in qualifying.
Canadian Contingent at the Games
Fellow Canadian Cameron Spalding, the 2024-25 World Cup champion for men’s slopestyle, finished 10th in the 12-man final.
New Zealand’s Dane Menzies, who was raised in Alberta, finished seventh after qualifying in first place.
International Competition and Results
Su Yiming of China secured the gold medal, building on his silver medal from the 2022 Olympics.
Japan’s Taiga Hasegawa earned silver, while Jake Canter of the U.S. Took home the bronze.
McMorris Reflects on His Performance
“I’m proud of the way I prepared,” McMorris told CBC Olympics. “I’m proud I made it to a fourth Olympic final. I’m proud I made it back on the hill after what I went through.”
He acknowledged his disappointment, stating, “I wish I could have had a better showing, but that’s the way sports goes sometimes.”
The Challenges of Slopestyle
Slopestyle snowboarding demands a unique combination of technical skill, creativity, and physical endurance.
Did you know? Slopestyle courses typically feature a series of rails, jumps, and quarterpipes, requiring riders to perform a variety of tricks, and maneuvers.
McMorris fell in two of his three attempts, highlighting the inherent risks and difficulty of the discipline.
FAQ
Q: What injuries did Mark McMorris sustain before the slopestyle final?
A: He suffered a concussion, bone bruising near his pelvis, and an abdominal strain.
Q: Who won the gold medal in men’s snowboard slopestyle?
A: Su Yiming of China won the gold medal.
Q: Where were the 2026 Winter Olympics held?
A: The games were held in Milano Cortina, Italy, with the slopestyle event taking place in Livigno.
Q: How many Winter X Games medals does Mark McMorris have?
A: He has 25 Winter X Games medals.
Want to stay up-to-date on all the action from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics? Explore more articles on 247sports.new and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and updates!