Livigno, Italy – The agony of defeat is often measured in milliseconds, in inches, in the smallest of margins. For Japanese mogul skier Hinako Tomitaka, that margin was a mere 0.20 points in a turn score, a difference so slight it’s almost imperceptible, yet one that cost her a place on the Olympic podium at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Tomitaka finished her final run on Wednesday at Livigno Aerials and Mogul Park with a score of 78.00, exactly matching that of France’s Perrine Laffont. While a tie often leads to shared celebration, Olympic rules dictated a heartbreaking outcome for the Japanese athlete. Laffont was awarded the bronze medal due to a superior turn score – 46.20 to Tomitaka’s 46.00.
The result was particularly cruel given Tomitaka’s performance throughout the competition. She had placed third in the first run of the final, appearing poised to contend for a medal. When Australia’s 2022 Olympic gold medalist Jakara Anthony faltered and failed to complete her second run, it seemed Tomitaka’s position was secure. However, the tiebreaker dashed those hopes.
“It’s the first time my position was decided this way, but I’ve seen it happen to other competitors,” Tomitaka reportedly said, her voice betraying the profound disappointment of the moment. “I never thought it’d happen to me.”
The narrow margin underscores the intensely competitive nature of freestyle mogul skiing, where fractions of a point can separate triumph from heartbreak. The sport demands not only athleticism and technical skill, but also precision and consistency across every turn and aerial maneuver.
Tomitaka’s near-miss follows a strong showing at the 2023 World Championships, where she secured a silver medal. That performance had raised expectations for her Olympic debut, and Wednesday’s result will undoubtedly sting for some time.
The day’s events at the Milan Cortina Games also saw Jordan Stolz of the United States win gold and set an Olympic record in the men’s 1,000-meter speedskating event. Ryan Cochran-Siegle added to the American medal count with a silver in men’s super-G. Elsewhere, Chloe Kim topped the leaderboard in women’s halfpipe qualifying, establishing herself as a strong favorite for gold in tomorrow’s final.
Figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates are also in contention for a medal, currently holding second place after their performance in the ice dancing competition. Legendary ice dancer Scott Moir is coaching both the Canadian and American teams, a testament to his influence in the sport.
While other athletes celebrated victories, the focus for many remained on Tomitaka’s devastatingly close call. The image of the Japanese skier, initially maintaining a brave face before succumbing to tears, resonated with a sense of shared empathy for the unique pain of Olympic fourth place.
