Fukuda Wins Gold in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle at Milano Cortina Olympics

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games saw a stunning performance in women’s snowboard slopestyle on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with 19-year-old Mari Fukada of Japan claiming the gold medal. New Zealand’s defending champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott secured silver, and Japan’s Kokomo Murase took home the bronze.

A Golden Run for Fukada

Fukada’s victory marks a debut Winter Olympics triumph for the young athlete. She demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency throughout the competition, culminating in a winning score of 87.83. Murase, who previously won gold in the women’s big air event, added to Japan’s medal count with her bronze performance.

Competition Details: Qualifying Rounds

The women’s slopestyle qualifying rounds were moved forward by a day, to February 15th, due to anticipated inclement weather. Four Japanese athletes participated: Murase Kokomo, Iwabuchi Rira, Fukada Mari, and Suzuki Momo. Unfortunately, Suzuki did not advance to the finals, finishing in 18th place.

First Run Performances

In the first run of the finals, Fukada showcased an aggressive approach, varying her entry points into the jib sections. Despite a fall on the fourth trick – a switch back 1260 – she still achieved a score of 33.98. Iwabuchi struggled, colliding with a rail on the first jib and failing to recover, resulting in a score of 11.51. Murase opted for a more conservative routine, focusing on building a solid foundation and landing a frontside double cork 900 and a cab double cork 900, earning a leading score of 79.30.

Second Run Results

Fukada significantly improved in her second run, prioritizing stability and successfully completing the course. She executed an off-the-toe 720 and other challenging tricks, achieving a score of 85.70 and taking the lead. Iwabuchi attempted a more ambitious routine but continued to struggle, scoring 44.16. Murase, already in the lead, aimed to increase her score but faltered on a frontside triple cork 1260, scoring 30.56, failing to improve on her first run.

Final Run and Medal Determination

The final run saw Fukada solidify her position with another strong performance, landing a switch back 1260 and earning a score of 87.83. This score proved insurmountable for her competitors. Sadowski-Synnott, the defending champion, delivered a strong final run, scoring 87.48 and securing the silver medal. Murase finished with a score of 85.80, earning the bronze.

Final Standings

The final standings were as follows: Mari Fukada (Japan) – Gold (87.83), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (New Zealand) – Silver (87.48), and Kokomo Murase (Japan) – Bronze (85.80). Iwabuchi finished in 8th place with a score of 52.11.

Men’s Slopestyle Results

Prior to the women’s final, the men’s slopestyle competition concluded. Japan also found success in the men’s event, with Taiga Hasegawa winning silver. Longa Kawaguch secured a place in the finals, finishing 9th. Kimura Kirai did not advance from the qualifying rounds.

Understanding Slopestyle

Snowboard slopestyle is a relatively new Olympic event, first introduced at the 2014 Sochi Games. The competition involves navigating a course filled with various obstacles, including rails, jumps, and quarterpipes, and athletes are judged on the difficulty and execution of their tricks. The scoring system rewards creativity, technical skill, and overall flow.

The Significance of Trick Names

The often-unconventional names of snowboard tricks – such as “Japan Air,” “Melon Grab,” and “Rodeo” – have a unique history rooted in the sport’s origins. These names often originated from the skateboarding community and were adopted by snowboarders as a way to honor influential athletes and recognize innovative maneuvers.

About TOKIO INKARAMI

TOKIO INKARAMI, the team affiliated with several top athletes including Murase and Hasegawa, is a prominent force in Japanese winter sports. The organization supports a diverse range of athletes across various disciplines, contributing to Japan’s growing success on the international stage.