The event tests an athlete’s ability to generate height, execute precise form in the air and deliver controlled landings.
LIVIGNANO, Province of Lucca — The men’s aerial event in the freestyle skiing discipline finally crowned a new champion on Friday following weather delays at the Winter Olympics.
The qualification round got underway at 4:30 a.m. ET, with the finals at 7:30 a.m. ET. The event tests an athlete’s ability to generate height, execute precise form in the air and deliver controlled landings.
Three U.S. athletes—Connor Curran, Derek Krueger and Christopher Lillis—competed for a chance to get on the podium, with many making their Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games.
A fourth Team USA athlete, Quinn Dehlinger, was expected to participate in the event in his Olympic debut but was unable to compete Friday due to a knee injury he sustained during training, according to U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
The top 12 competitors in the qualifying round advanced to the first of two finals runs. All three Americans ranked among the dozen.
Curran ranked fifth in the qualifying round, with Krueger and Lillis placing 10th and 11th, respectively.
Only the top six scores in the first round of finals advanced to the medal run, but none of the U.S. competitors managed to break into that tier.
China entered the competition as the heavy favorite after sweeping the top three positions in the World Cup standings, and their country was well represented in the final jump to get on the podium.
Four Chinese skiers and two Swiss skiers made it to the top six. China finished with two athletes on the podium: Xindi Wang won gold, and Tianma Li won bronze. Swiss athlete Noe Roth won silver.
In aerial skiing, skiers launch from a ramp into the air and perform tricks before landing on a 34° to 39° slope about 30 meters long.