The men’s freeski slopestyle final at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics saw Alex Hall of Team USA secure a silver medal, defending his title from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Competing on February 6, 2024, Hall finished just shy of gold, placing second behind Norway’s Birk Ruud, who took the top spot.
Competing at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Hall showcased his skills with a strong second run, scoring an impressive 85.75. This performance followed a disappointing first run, where he struggled with dismounts on two rails. Despite the early setback, Hall’s precise execution and experience shone through as he aimed to repeat his Olympic success from Beijing.
Ruud, the defending champion in men’s freeski big air, entered the event as a favorite. He set the pace early, earning the highest score after the qualification rounds. In his final run, already secure in his victory, Ruud experienced a fall but managed to recover and finish his run, demonstrating his resilience.
Hall’s journey included a challenging qualification round where he finished eighth, making his way into the finals alongside two other American athletes. Konnor Ralph, in his Olympic debut, placed ninth with a score of 66.76, while Mac Forehand finished 11th, scoring 55.93. Both athletes faced difficulties during their runs but displayed noteworthy improvements.
Forehand, reflecting on his qualification round, admitted, “The nerves were so heavy, I’ve never been so nervous for a contest before. But I landed it, and it all worked out.” His experience included a previous Olympic appearance in the Men’s Freeski Big Air event in 2022, where he finished 11th.
Despite the strong performances, Hall’s inability to secure a gold medal left him with mixed feelings. He had described the slopestyle course as a “canvas,” illustrating his artistic approach to the sport. Ruud’s victory further cements his reputation as a leading figure in freeskiing, having already conquered the world stage multiple times.
With the event concluded, Hall and his teammates will reflect on their performances and look ahead to future competitions, continuing to inspire a new generation of freeskiers.
