Stalker and Coady through to Big Air final

Meila Stalker (main picture) and Tess Coady will compete for medals in the women’s big air final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after finishing the qualifying rounds respectively in sixth and 12th positions.

And Sydney’s 16-year-old Ally Hickman impressed in her Olympic debut, shining with a superb opening run before finishing in 15th place. She’ll now focus her attention on in the slopestyle event.

Stalker finished sixth with a total score of 165, while Coady – who took the bronze medal at the last Winter Games – admitted she needed to hold her breath as her place in the final appeared to be under threat.

Ultimately, she qualified by a mere 0.75 after recording a total score of 153.50.

“I’m feeling pretty good now. I’m kind of glad it’s over, to be honest,” the 25-year-old told Nine. “It’s just the worst when you have to wait and see if you’re going to make it through.

“But I’m super stoked to go through to the final.”

Stalker and Coady will compete in the big air final from 5.30am on Tuesday.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS