The Winter Olympics just got a whole lot more exciting for Australia, thanks to a young snowboarder who defied the odds and left everyone on the edge of their seats. Valentino Guseli, a 20-year-old sensation, secured his spot in the Olympic snowboard big air final with a jaw-dropping last-minute jump – and this is the part most people miss: he only got the chance to compete when another athlete withdrew. But here's where it gets controversial: was it luck, or was it destiny? Let's dive in.
Guseli's journey to the finals was nothing short of dramatic. After scoring 73.25 on his first run and 71.50 on his second, he knew he needed something extraordinary to qualify. And boy, did he deliver. On his third and final jump at Livigno’s Snow Park, he went all out, soaring through the air with precision and style, landing a score of 91.50. This cemented his place as the 12th and final competitor in the big air event, scheduled for Sunday (0530 AEDT). His combined total of 163.0 tied him for the second-best score of the day, a feat that had him throwing his snowboard in the air in pure joy.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture: the big air event is no walk in the park. Competitors launch themselves off a ramp built on scaffolding towering more than 50 meters above the course, performing gravity-defying spins and tricks. Guseli’s performance was a testament to his skill and nerve, especially considering he was a last-minute addition to the lineup. Speaking of which, his entry into the Olympics was a surprise in itself – he became the first Australian to compete at the Milan-Cortina Games after being granted a start on the day of the event.
Now, here’s where it gets even more intriguing. Guseli had initially aimed to compete in three events in Italy – big air, slopestyle, and halfpipe – but an ACL injury in late 2024 derailed those plans. He failed to qualify for slopestyle, and his big air opportunity only came after Canadian veteran Mark McMorris withdrew due to injury. McMorris, a fan favorite, was stretchered off the course after a training crash, leaving many to wonder: should Guseli’s spot feel like a gift, or did he earn it fair and square? It’s a question that’s sure to spark debate.
Meanwhile, the competition itself was fierce. Japan’s Hiroto Ogiwara dominated with a top score of 178.5 points, while three New Zealanders – Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson, and Dane Menzies – also secured their spots. Ogiwara, by the way, is no stranger to breaking records. He made history at the 2025 Aspen X Games by landing the first-ever 2340-degree jump (that’s six-and-a-half rotations, if you’re counting). And let’s not forget Italy’s Ian Matteoli, who thrilled the home crowd with a second-place qualifying score of 174.5 points.
For Guseli, the road ahead is still full of possibilities. Despite his setbacks, he remains a strong medal contender in the halfpipe event, having won a World Cup event in Calgary and placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics. But here’s the real question: can he turn this last-minute opportunity into Olympic glory? And more importantly, does his journey redefine what it means to ‘earn’ a spot on the world’s biggest stage?
Australia’s snowboard legacy is no small feat, either. Torah Bright became the first athlete to compete in three snowboard disciplines at a single Olympics in 2014, winning silver in the halfpipe. Guseli’s story adds a new chapter to this legacy, but it’s one that’s still being written. As for slopestyle, his participation remains uncertain, as McMorris could still recover and reclaim his spot. So, what do you think? Did Guseli’s opportunity come at the right time, or is there more to this story? Let us know in the comments – this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
