Winter Olympics 2026: Ogiwara Hiroto and Ian Matteoli Ease into Snowboard Big Air Finals – Daily Results

There are moments in the Winter Olympics when the raw energy of the crowd and the sheer height of the jump define the day. Today, in the heart of the Italian Alps for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, the atmosphere was electric as the world's best snowboarders took flight. The pressure cooker of the men's Snowboard Big Air qualification round tested nerves and physics, but two names rose above the rest, demonstrating both control and aerial aggression: Japan's Ogiwara Hiroto and Italy's own Ian Matteoli.

In a display of calculated dominance, both athletes secured their spots in the highly anticipated finals, bypassing the drama and tight margins that plagued many Olympic hopefuls. Ogiwara, the veteran master of rotation, showed consistency across all three required jumps, while Matteoli, the home-country hero and rookie sensation, rode the wave of crowd support to deliver two textbook 1800s. These performances set the stage for what promises to be an epic battle for the gold medal.

I remember watching the feed live—the silence before Ogiwara dropped, followed by the explosion of cheers as he stomped the landing. It wasn't just a jump; it was a statement. When you see an athlete 'ease' through a qualification round, it speaks volumes about their confidence and preparation. For fans tracking the daily results, this smooth transition means they saved their most dangerous, highest-scoring tricks for the final showdown.

The Snowboard Big Air Qualification Round: Analyzing the Field

The qualification format demanded versatility. Athletes needed to land two distinct, high-scoring tricks out of three attempts. Only the top twelve riders would advance to the medal round. With perfect, albeit icy, conditions on the massive scaffolding jump, the threshold for qualification was exceptionally high, requiring scores well into the 80s for guaranteed progression.

Many competitors struggled early on, either under-rotating massive tricks like the Quad Cork 1980 or struggling with stability on the icy run-in. This separation immediately elevated those who prioritized clean execution alongside high difficulty. The judges were strict: grabbing the board cleanly and landing without a hand drag were crucial determinants in separating the contenders from the also-rans.

The strategic element was fascinating to watch. Athletes who landed a strong first run often used their second run to test a riskier maneuver. Ogiwara Hiroto and Ian Matteoli both achieved qualification status early, allowing them to relax and even strategize for the finals, whereas others fought tooth and nail right down to their final attempts.

The overall depth of the field at the Winter Olympics 2026 is arguably the strongest we've ever seen in Snowboard Big Air. Veteran riders like Markus Kleveland and Chris Corning also managed to punch their tickets, but not without significant effort, highlighting just how impressive the smooth qualification runs of Ogiwara and Matteoli were.

Ogiwara and Matteoli: Precision and Pure Power

Japan's Ogiwara Hiroto, aged 24, delivered a textbook demonstration of controlled power. Known for his technical mastery of spins, Ogiwara's first two runs were his ticket. He opened with a near-perfect Frontside Triple Cork 1620 that scored 91.50 points, immediately vaulting him into the lead.

What sets Ogiwara apart is his ability to blend immense difficulty with minimal wobble. His second jump, a Backside 1800 Indy, showed incredible commitment and rotational speed, earning him an 89.25. With a combined score of 180.75, Ogiwara topped the leaderboards, utilizing the third run merely as a practice jump for the technical elements of the final.

Ian Matteoli, representing the host nation, carried the weight of national expectation—and he delivered. The 19-year-old Italian phenom opted for style and amplitude, hitting the jump with unbelievable speed. Matteoli focused heavily on switch-stance rotations, a specialty that often scores well due to its difficulty.

Matteoli's two scoring tricks were a Switch Backside 1800 Mute Grab and a Cab Triple Cork 1620. His Cab Triple was a masterpiece of control, receiving the highest single jump score of the day: 92.00. The roar from the Italian supporters was deafening, cementing his status as a serious medal contender in his first Olympic appearance.

Top Scoring Runs for the Frontrunners:

• Ogiwara Hiroto (JPN):
• Run 1: Frontside Triple Cork 1620 (91.50)
• Run 2: Backside 1800 Indy (89.25)
• Total Qualifying Score: 180.75

• Ian Matteoli (ITA):
• Run 1: Switch Backside 1800 Mute (88.00)
• Run 2: Cab Triple Cork 1620 (92.00)
• Total Qualifying Score: 180.00

The Race for the Remaining Spots & Daily Standings

While Ogiwara and Matteoli secured the top two berths with relative comfort, the battle for positions 10 through 12 was excruciatingly tight. Just 1.5 points separated the 10th-place qualifier from the first rider eliminated, showcasing the marginal gains athletes seek in this highly competitive sport.

Team USA's stalwart, Mark McMorris, struggled initially but managed to pull out a crucial third run, landing a massive Double Cork 1440 to scrape into 7th place. Meanwhile, a major surprise came from Switzerland's Jonas Huber, a dark horse who delivered a personal best to finish 5th overall, signaling a major upset potential for the finals.

Conversely, the day saw heartbreak for several big names. Canada's Liam Brearley missed qualification by a mere 0.5 points, having struggled to find consistency between his two different scoring tricks. The harsh reality of the Big Air qualification round is that one minor bobble can shatter Olympic dreams.

The daily results confirm that the medal contention will be fiercely contested. The difference between the highest and lowest qualifying scores was only 12 points, suggesting that any of the twelve finalists is capable of landing on the podium, provided they execute the necessary Quad Corks and clean 1800s under pressure.

Men's Snowboard Big Air Finalists (Top 12 Daily Results):

The full list of qualifiers advancing to the finals:

• 1. Ogiwara Hiroto (JPN) - 180.75
• 2. Ian Matteoli (ITA) - 180.00
• 3. Markus Kleveland (NOR) - 178.50
• 4. Chris Corning (USA) - 175.25
• 5. Jonas Huber (SUI) - 173.90
• 6. Su Yiming (CHN) - 172.50
• 7. Mark McMorris (CAN) - 171.10
• 8. Takeru Otsuka (JPN) - 170.50
• 9. Valentino Guseli (AUS) - 169.80
• 10. Nick Baden (USA) - 168.00
• 11. Kaito Hamada (JPN) - 167.95
• 12. Stale Sandbech (NOR) - 167.50

Looking Ahead: The Final Showdown at Milano Cortina 2026

With the qualification round behind us, all eyes turn to the Snowboard Big Air finals scheduled for two days from now. The pressure will be magnified exponentially. Unlike the qualifying stage where two tricks counted, the final demands three different, high-scoring tricks, often pushing riders to attempt never-before-seen combinations.

Ogiwara Hiroto holds the slight edge in momentum, demonstrating remarkable consistency. However, Ian Matteoli, backed by the roaring Italian crowd, has the audacity and fresh perspective often needed to upset the established order. We are guaranteed high-flying action and a dramatic conclusion to the Snowboard Big Air event at the Winter Olympics 2026.

Stay tuned for complete coverage and live daily results as the world watches who will claim the prestigious gold medal in one of the Games' most thrilling disciplines.

Winter Olympics 2026: Ogiwara Hiroto and Ian Matteoli ease into snowboard big air finals - daily results

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