Troy Podmilsak takes home gold at freeski big air World Cup, secures spot on Olympic team

Troy Podmilsak celebrated an Olympics-worthy run at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, World Cup. Photo: Screenshot from NBC Sports

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colorado — Parkite Troy Podmilsak has officially punched his ticket to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics after his second-straight big air win at the World Cup stop on Saturday in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

At this designated selection event for the US Olympic team, 21-year-old Podmilsak put down the two highest-scoring tricks of the day, with a switch right triple cork 1980 safety on Run 1 and a right triple cork 1800 on Run 2.

His combined score of 182.5 was enough to take home the gold, with teammate Konnor Ralph coming in second place and still in the running for one of the two remaining openings on the four-man team. Reigning Olympic slopestyle champion, Alex Hall, entered the season pre-qualified.

Earlier this season, Podmilsak also won gold at a World Cup event in Secret Garden, China.

Podmilsak will compete in both the big air and slopestyle events at his first Olympic competition in Milan Cortina.

Park City native Rell Harwood had a strong first run in the women’s competition, landing a double cork 1260. But the X-Games medalist crashed hard on her attempted trick for Run 2 and withdrew from the contest.

The 17-year-old rookie Avery Krumme finished 4th and took home the highest placement for the US in the women’s competition.