Japan’s Mari Fukada delivered a breakthrough performance to win the gold medal in the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Competing in her Olympic debut, the young rider produced her best run when it mattered most to secure the top spot on the podium.
The final took place at Livigno Snow Park, where athletes were given three runs, with the highest score counting toward the final result. Fukada’s winning score came in her third and final attempt, highlighting her composure under pressure.
Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final Results
All three medal-winning performances came in the final run, making for a dramatic finish.
| Position | Athlete | Country | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Mari Fukada | Japan | 87.83 |
| Silver | Zoi Sadowski-Synnott | New Zealand | 87.48 |
| Bronze | Kokomo Murase | Japan | 85.80 |
Fukada edged defending Olympic champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott by just 0.35 points, while Japan’s Kokomo Murase completed a strong day for her country with the bronze medal.
Japan Shines on the Olympic Stage
Japan dominated the event with two athletes on the podium. Fukada’s gold medal marked a major milestone in her career, especially as it came in her first Olympic appearance.
Murase, who had already enjoyed success in other freestyle events, added another Olympic medal to her growing list of achievements. The strong performance confirmed Japan’s growing strength in snowboard freestyle disciplines.
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Historic Moment for Sadowski-Synnott
New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott once again proved her consistency on the Olympic stage. After winning gold at the previous Winter Games, she added a silver medal this time.
With this result, she now holds five Olympic medals, making her one of the most successful snowboarders in Olympic history.
Team USA Falls Short of the Podium
Team USA had two riders reach the final but missed out on the medals.
| Athlete | Result |
|---|---|
| Lily Dhawornvej | Qualified for final, finished outside medal positions |
| Jessica Perlmutter | Qualified for final, finished outside medal positions |
Sixteen-year-old Dhawornvej impressed by reaching the final after finishing 10th in qualification, while Perlmutter also advanced but could not challenge the top scores. Although the Americans showed promise, the team left the event without a medal.
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Event Highlights and Format
The slopestyle competition featured a course with rails, jumps, and technical features designed to test creativity, difficulty, and execution. Each rider had three attempts, and only the best score counted.
The event was originally scheduled earlier but was delayed due to weather conditions, making the final even more competitive as athletes waited for their opportunity.
The Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle final delivered high-quality performances and a close finish at the top. Mari Fukada’s victory not only marked a personal breakthrough but also highlighted Japan’s rising dominance in freestyle snowboarding.
As the Winter Olympics continue, the event will be remembered for its dramatic final runs and the emergence of a new Olympic champion.
