Big Air final hits new heights

Aussies Tess Coady and Mela Stalker have soared to top 10 finishes in the Women’s Big Air final, placing seventh and 10th respectively in a world-class field.

Coady’s seventh place marks the best result ever recorded by an Australian in Olympic Big Air, improving on her ninth place from Beijing 2022.

Entering the 12 rider final ranked 12th, the three-time Olympian said she felt free to simply enjoy the moment.

“I didn’t really have any expectations because I guess I was already in 12th, so it’s kind of like anything you can do is a bonus from there,” the 25-year-old said. “Going into the runs, I just wanted to land some stuff, feel good, and make it look good.”

Leading off the competition, Coady opened with a 70.00 for a backside double 1080 with melon grab. She followed with 61.00 for a switch backside 900 with mute grab, sitting in fifth place heading into the final jump, but was unable to improve her scores, finishing with a total score of 131.00.

Olympic debutant Stalker came out firing in the final, scoring 72.50 for her backside double 1080 with mute grab. She was unable to replicate the execution on her next two runs, scoring 35.00 for a frontside 1080 to finish with 107.50.

While disappointed not to put down three clean runs, Stalker said the night left her more inspired than ever.

“To ride with the best of the best was pretty awesome. Unfortunately, I couldn’t put it down but I’m pretty stoked, it’s been an awesome experience, that’s for sure,” the 22-year-old said. “It’s definitely the most intense competition I’ve been in… the most high-end competition I’ve been a part of. To be here and watch the girls send it and give it their all has been insane. 

“I didn’t think I’d get this far tonight, so I’m pretty happy to be a part of it and really embrace watching everybody and seeing where I can get to.”

The women’s field pushed the sport to new heights, led by Japan’s Murase Kokomo, who delivered two 1440s for the top scores of the night. She opened with a backside triple cork 1440 mute grab – the highest scoring jump of the competition at 89.75 – and closed with a frontside 1440 scoring 89.25 to secure gold with 179.00 points.

New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski Synnott claimed silver with 172.25, while the Republic of Korea’s Yu Seungeun, just 18, took bronze with 171.00. Dual Olympic Champion Anna Gasser was denied a shot at history after falls on her first two attempts ended her bid for a third Big Air title.

Recognising the significance of Kokomo’s double 1440s, the rest of the field were quick to celebrate the emotional Olympic Champion.

“[Kokomo] started bawling her eyes out and I was tearing up. It was pretty emotional to be with all the girls at the bottom and to see her throw down – and Zoi and Yu too.”

Coady echoed that sentiment, praising the level of riding on display.

“Those girls are amazing, they’re so good at riding big air, doing 14s and stuff would be pretty scary on that jump.

“Everyone is so inspiring to watch, and we also spend so much time together, we’re all friends, and it’s super sick.

“Kokomo’s been working so hard the last few years, I think she really deserved that win.”

Both Aussies will now turn their attention to Slopestyle in week two of the Games. 

Coady – the Slopestyle bronze medallist from Beijing 2022 – said the Big Air tricks on display could have an exciting impact on the next event.

“Yeah, that’ll definitely be super interesting to see what people go for in the Slopestyle,” she said. 

“Obviously you have to connect the whole run up. Big Air is the one jump, but in Slopestyle you have to have something good on every trick, so it will be really interesting to see what kind of runs people are putting together and I’m looking forward to that for sure.”

In her main event, Coady will again be joined by Stalker and 16-year-old Ally Hickman who placed 15th in Big Air qualifiers.

“It’s so nice to start with Big Air and be able to work on the tricks that I’m going to take to slope,” Stalker said.

“We’ve had a bit of a warm-up now which is cool!”

See all Women’s Big Air results HERE. 

Coady, Stalker and Hickman will return for Women’s Slopestyle on Monday 16 February.

Watch live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now and on-demand on Stan Sport.

Australian Olympic Committee