Cooper Woods Claims Olympic Gold, Defeats Kingsbury in Men’s Moguls
In a stunning turn of events at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Australian freestyle skier Cooper Woods claimed Olympic gold in men’s moguls. The competition took place on February 12, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, and was a tightly contested final.
Cooper Woods Upsets Mikael Kingsbury
Both athletes scored an impressive 83.71 points, but the tiebreaker determined the winner. In moguls skiing, the “turns” score has a significant impact, making up 60% of the overall score. Woods secured a crucial advantage in this category, scoring 48.40 compared to Kingsbury’s 47.70.
Kingsbury’s Silver Medal Journey
- Mikael Kingsbury, 33, is a decorated Canadian mogul skier.
- This event marked his third Olympic silver medal, having previously finished second in 2014 and 2022.
- Kingsbury won gold in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Following the event, Kingsbury expressed his disappointment but acknowledged his hard work throughout his career. “It was close, a tiebreak. But I’ve worked very hard for this medal,” he reflected.
Woods’ Historic Victory
- Cooper Woods, aged 25, is considered an unheralded name in the sport.
- Prior to this achievement, he had only one podium finish in 51 World Cup events.
- Woods shared his emotional reaction: “I’m speechless, super emotional, very proud.”
Woods’ unexpected victory over Kingsbury, often regarded as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in moguls skiing, sent waves of joy through Australian supporters. One fan even displayed an inflatable wallaby in celebration.
Other Notable Performances
Japan’s Ikuma Horishima secured the bronze medal, repeating his podium finish from the previous Olympics in 2022. In the women’s moguls event earlier, athletes from the United States also achieved gold and silver medals.
This thrilling final highlighted the competitive spirit and unpredictability of moguls skiing at the Olympics, establishing Cooper Woods as a remarkable contender in the sport.
