Google celebrates men’s freestyle skiing event at 2026 Winter Olympics with Doodle

Google marked the men’s freestyle skiing big air event at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a special doodle on Tuesday, as the final was scheduled to take place at Livigno Snow Park. The men’s big air final is set for 17 February 2026 in Livigno. As of Tuesday morning, the competition had not concluded.

The qualification round was held on 15 February, with 12 skiers advancing to the final. The event has drawn significant attention due to close scores, high-profile athletes and the stakes of Olympic competition.

Google has been releasing Doodle's to celebrate various events of Winter Olympics

Strong field set for big air final in Livigno

American skier Mac Forehand led the qualification standings with a best score of 183.00, delivering clean landings and high-difficulty tricks. He was followed by Matej Svancer of Austria and Norway’s Birk Ruud, who has already had a strong showing at the Games.

Norway has three skiers in the final, including Tormod Frostad and Ulrik Samnoey. France is represented by Matias Roche and Timothé Sivignon. In the final, athletes are given multiple runs, with only their best scores counting.

Key storylines ahead of the final

Birk Ruud enters the final as the defending Olympic big air champion from Beijing 2022 and has already won gold in the men’s slopestyle event at these Games. A victory in Livigno would add another Olympic gold to his record.

Mac Forehand arrives with momentum after topping qualification and as a reigning X Games champion. His consistency and technical approach position him as a strong contender.

The event also features notable absences. Alex Hall and Andri Ragettli did not qualify after crashes in the earlier rounds, underscoring the high-risk nature of big air competition.

With the final underway, expectations remain high for complex tricks, precise landings and closely contested scores.