Milan–Cortina, Feb 17, 2026: Global freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu has created history at the Winter Olympics 2026, becoming the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history. The 22-year-old sensation added new medals to her already legendary record, thrilling fans across the world and confirming her status as one of the greatest winter athletes of her generation.
Who is Eileen Gu
Eileen grew up in a snowy playground near Lake Tahoe, where her mom— a former speed skater—taught her to glide down slopes at just age 3. By 8, she joined a ski team; at 9, she claimed her first national title. Single-parent grit shaped her: no fancy coaches early on, just pure drive and Tahoe powder turns.
Olympic Legend Unfolds
Beijing 2022 made her immortal at 18. She snagged three medals—the first freeskier ever at one Games: gold in big air (landing a lefty double cork 1620), gold in halfpipe, silver in slopestyle. Youngest freestyle Olympic champ ever.
Fast-forward to Milano Cortina 2026: Silvers in slopestyle (Feb 9) and big air (Feb 16) pushed her to five total medals, most for any woman in freestyle history. Tied men's record holder Mikael Kingsbury. Perfect 5-for-5 across events entered.
Record Tricks Redefined
Eileen's innovations stun: First woman to nail a forward double cork 1440 (shortside!). Debuted unnatural double cork 1620 in Olympic big air. No poles sometimes—competed through broken hand at 2021 Worlds (two golds).
World Champs shine too: 2021 double gold (halfpipe, slopestyle), big air bronze. X Games medals galore. Youth Olympics 2020: Golds in halfpipe/big air, slopestyle silver.
Slopestyle Silver Kicks It Off
Eileen's adventure started strong on February 9 at Livigno Snow Park. In women's freeski slopestyle, she delivered what she called her "best run ever," weaving rails and soaring over jumps for a silver medal—just 0.38 points behind Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud.
A tiny slip on the first rail reminded her of qualifying woes, but she flashed a huge grin at the cameras. No gold? No problem. This matched her Beijing 2022 silver, making it her fourth Olympic medal overall back then. Hugs with Olympian princesses on the podium sealed the joy.
She later shared the tough road: brutal injuries, a scary 2025 concussion with seizures that had friends fearing the worst. "Just being here and skiing my best—that's the real win," she beamed.
Big Air Qualifiers: Crash and Clutch
Fast-forward to February 14. No big air comps since her 2022 gold, Eileen hit the qualifiers under bright lights. Disaster struck— she crashed hard on an early run. Heart rates spiked for fans, but cool as ice, she nailed her final jump to top the standings and punch her final ticket.​
This bounce-back showed her fire. Canada's Megan Oldham led qualifiers too, setting up an epic showdown. Weather loomed, but Eileen stayed laser-focused, tweaking a new left-side double cork 1260 just days before.
Snowstorm Delays Build Drama
Mother Nature crashed the party. A fierce snowstorm blanketed Livigno on February 15, wiping out the big air final. Athletes huddled, fans refreshed apps nonstop. Rescheduled for February 16—Chinese New Year— the wait only amped the hype.
Eileen used downtime smartly: extra practice, mental reps. Her schedule complaints hit headlines too—Olympic calendar too crammed for full freeski prep, she told FIS bosses. Still, silver dreams burned bright.​
Big Air Final: Silver Glory on Lunar New Year
February 16 delivered fireworks. First run: solid 90.00 with a double cork 1440, tying for third. Second run dipped to 61.25 on a shaky landing and weak grab—medal hopes dimmed.
Key Moments Timeline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She was born in San Francisco, went to Stanford, and became one of the best freestyle skiers in the world. But why is she competing for China? Mike Pesca reports on the story of Eileen Gu. https://t.co/hWG46hlHnC
— The Free Press (@TheFP) February 17, 2026
The Final Flip: Legacy Locked In
Winter Olympics 2026 ends with Eileen Gu atop freestyle's female peak—most decorated ever. Silvers shine like golds when earned through storms, slips, and sheer will. She's not done flipping pages; she's just starting the next run. Stay snowy, stay soaring.
Other Articles to Read:
- Tell Me Lies Season 3 Is Ending — What Really Happened in the Finale?
- Tamil Nadu:7 Hospitalized as 60-Foot Chariot Topples During Vellore Procession
- Aamir Khan Don 3 Mediation Sparks Big Bollywood Reset
- Yash vs Ranveer: Eid 2026 Turns Into a Box Office War
- Robert Duvall Dies at 95: Peaceful Passing or Ongoing Health Problem?
- After Rajpal Yadav Case, Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Ameesha Patel
