Antipodean Quartet Advances to Big Air Final at 2026 Winter Olympics

Casey Halston

Published: February 7, 2026 2:48 PM ET

Antipodean Quartet Advances to Big Air Final at 2026 Winter Olympics

The Antipodean nations of New Zealand and Australia are celebrating a remarkable start in snowboarding at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Their snowboarders have advanced to the Big Air Final, showcasing their significant medal potential.

Key Competitors from Australia and New Zealand

Several athletes are leading the charge, generating excitement for their respective countries:

Scotty James (Australia): A four-time world champion in the snowboard halfpipe.
Jakara Anthony (Australia): The defending Olympic champion in moguls.
Alice Robinson (New Zealand): A world silver medalist in giant slalom.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (New Zealand): A two-time Olympic medalist who claimed gold in snowboard slopestyle at Beijing 2022.
Luca Harrington (New Zealand): The world champion in big air.

Emotional Tributes and Last-Minute Surprises

During the competition, 19-year-old Jamieson expressed his heartfelt gratitude. He honored the memory of his late friends, Sammy Finnemore and Zak Baikie, by inscribing their names on his snowboard and helmet.

“This was really their dream, and they rode with me for many years,” Jamieson noted. “I think it helped to do it for them.”

In a thrilling turn of events, competitor Guseli learned just three hours before the event that he would participate. He made it to the final with a stunning run.

The Path to the Final

Guseli described the previous 24 hours as “insane.” He trained diligently and focused on perfecting his tricks in preparation for the Big Air competition. His extraordinary final run was a highlight for him.