Teen Hickman through to Slopestyle Finals

The second youngest member of Australia’s 2026 Winter Olympic Team, Ally Hickman, has qualified for the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final, finishing sixth in Sunday’s heats.

The 16-year-old delivered a clean and composed opening run at Livigno Snow Park, scoring 71.41. With windy conditions challenging riders throughout the session, particularly on the jumps, her first run score held firm across the second run and secured her place in the top12 final.

The teenager said her plan was to put down a safe, reliable opening run.

“I’m so happy, it was such an amazing event,” Hickman said. “First run, I was just trying to keep it safe, just laying a score on the board and it’s gotten me to finals which is so good.”

While the slopestyle course was daunting at first, Hickman said it quickly began to feel more natural under her board.

“First look, it was very daunting, but hitting the course, it flowed really well,” she said. “The jumps today were a bit windy and we couldn’t really clear them as well. But they ended up working pretty nicely.”

Having played is ‘safe’ in qualifying, Hickman said she plans to up the ante for finals.

“I want to land my best run, the run that I’ve been dreaming about to land in the Olympics for a while now. It should be such a good final.”

Fellow Australians Mela Stalker and Tess Coady finished 22nd and 27th respectively, with scores of 47.36 and 38.95.

Stalker said she has been struggling on the course this week, so made the decision the night before the competition to change up her run. A change that brought her a lot of enjoyment in competition today.

“Today was an awesome day, I actually enjoyed riding the course today, which has been a struggle all week, so I was pretty happy about that,” the 22-year-old said. “I changed up my run last night, so it was a bit interesting getting into it today.

“I love playing around with the rails and making it fun, and I really struggled with that this week, and it was really getting to me.

“Trying to find a run that I’d be proud of and actually enjoy was the hardest part because these rails are either massive or really chill.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t get me on the right path today, but that’s okay, I enjoyed riding it…. That’s what it’s about, it’s about actually enjoying what we’re doing.”

Ally Hickman will return for the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Finals on Tuesday 17 February (11pm AEDT)  – watch the Winter Olympics on Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport.

Australian Olympic Committee