Zoi Sadowski-Synnott Dominates Big Air Qualifying at Winter Olympics

New Zealand snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott showcased her exceptional talent by securing the top spot in the Big Air qualifying rounds at the 2024 Winter Olympics. Her impressive performance set a high standard for the upcoming final, taking place on March 6, 2024. Sadowski-Synnott, a three-time Olympic medallist, highlighted her prowess by achieving the highest score of the night with her first jump.

Competing early in the qualifying rounds, Sadowski-Synnott executed a switch backside 1260, which earned her a remarkable score of 90.00. This initial jump laid the foundation for her continued success throughout the event. Her second attempt, a backside double cork 1080, retained her lead with a score of 82.25, while her final jump, a backside 1080, matched that score, bringing her total to 172.25.

Strong Competition

Following Sadowski-Synnott in the rankings was Japan’s Kokomo Murase, the reigning world champion, who finished the qualifying round with a score of 171.25. Great Britain’s Mia Brookes secured third place with 167.00. South Korea’s Seungeun Yo qualified fourth with a score of 166.50, while three Japanese competitors rounded out the top spots: Mari Fukada (165.75), Reira Iwabuchi (164.00), and Momo Suzuki (160.50).

Notably, two-time defending Olympic champion Anna Gasser placed ninth with a score of 159.50. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Lucia Georgalli, competing in her first Olympic Games, produced a commendable first jump scoring 78.25 with a backside 1080. Unfortunately, her subsequent attempts fell short, leading to a 25th place finish and missing out on the finals.

Looking Ahead to the Final

The Big Air final promises to be an exciting showdown as Sadowski-Synnott aims to secure her first Olympic gold medal. With her strong qualifying performance, she has established herself as a formidable contender. The final is scheduled to begin at 07:30 tomorrow, and fans are eager to see if Sadowski-Synnott can maintain her momentum and claim victory on the Olympic stage.