Flora Tabanelli, from injury to historic first bronze medal at age 18

An extraordinary Flora Tabanelli writes history and gives Italy its first Olympic medal in freestyle, as well as its 23rd overall at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The 18-year-old Italian won bronze in the Big Air final with a total score of 178.25. Ahead of her only Canada’s Megan Oldham, gold with 180.75 points, and China’s Eileen Ailing Gu, silver with 179.00. Remaining at the foot of the podium is Britain’s Kirsty Muir, fourth after a decisive fall in the last run.

Andrea Gussoni

In an Olympics already embellished by the victories of, among others, Federica Brignone in giant slalom and Super G, comes another memorable page for the Italian colors. Tabanelli, who had suffered a cruciate ligament injury in November, put on a show of extraordinary determination, hitting not only third place but also a historic milestone for Italy in freestyle. Three heats of the highest level punctuated his race, with an outstanding third run of 94.50 points, the best of the’entire final.

After the wind postponement, Azzurra starts strong with 90 points in the first run, tied with Gu. In the second she consolidates her comeback, climbing to 174 and staying fully in the running for the podium. Meanwhile, Oldham secures the gold, while Muir, Tabanelli’s last direct rival, jeopardizes everything with a landing crash that ousts her from the medal fight.

Thus the party begins for Tabanelli and for the whole Italian expedition: it is medal number 23 of Milano Cortina 2026, the eleventh bronze and above all the first, historic Italian joy in freestyle, crowning an Olympics so far simply extraordinary.