Ski Jump in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle as Japan took Gold New Zealand Silver

This was the moment to shine in the grand final in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle in the 2026 Winter Olympics. It was a thriller moment when these women were trying to get Gold as they will have the best sking and best jump performances with the highest score takes Gold with a good amount of turns.

Japan's Mari Fukada claimed a stunning gold medal in the women's snowboard slopestyle final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 18, edging out New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski-Synnott for silver in a razor-close battle, while teammate Kokomo Murase secured bronze for Japan.

The high-stakes competition at Livigno Snow Park delivered one of the most thrilling finishes of the Games, with all three medalists posting their career-best runs in the final attempt. Fukada, a 19-year-old Olympic debutant from Japan, soared to victory with an 87.83 on her third run, showcasing flawless execution on a technical lineup that included a switch backside 1260 mute grab, backside 720 mute, and frontside 720 melon. Her clean rails and powerful jumps proved decisive.

Sadowski-Synnott, the defending champion from Beijing 2022, fought back fiercely in her closing run, landing massive tricks like frontside 1080s and backside 1080s to score 87.48 just 0.35 points shy of gold. The silver elevated her to the most decorated snowboarder in Olympic history with five career medals, cementing her legacy as New Zealand's greatest Winter Olympian.

Murase, already a gold medalist in women's snowboard big air at these Games, rounded out the podium with 85.80, adding to Japan's dominant snowboarding campaign (four golds in the sport overall). The result marked a 1-3 finish for Japan, equaling their five-gold haul from Nagano 1998 in total golds at these Olympics.

The event, delayed earlier by weather, built intense drama as scores climbed dramatically in the third runs. Fukada had led after her second attempt with 85.70, but the pressure mounted as Sadowski-Synnott and Murase pushed limits on the jumps and features.

In the end, Japan's rising stars stole the show, but Sadowski-Synnott's valiant defense highlighted the razor-thin margins and global depth in women's snowboarding. This podium Japan gold, New Zealand silver, Japan bronze will be remembered as a showcase of precision, power, and pure athletic drama at the 2026 Winter Games.