Team USA Makes History with Freestyle Skiing Gold at Milano Cortina 2026
The United States achieved a historic milestone on Saturday, February 21, 2025, by winning the freestyle skiing mixed team aerials championship at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. The American trio of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Christopher Lillis delivered an exceptional performance in the Super Final, securing the gold medal with a combined score of 325.35 points.
A Record-Breaking Victory for Team USA
This gold medal marked the 11th for the United States at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, setting a new American record for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Games. The previous record was established 24 years ago at the Salt Lake City Games. The triumph was particularly significant as Team USA had not won a medal in aerials earlier in the competition, making their victory in the mixed team event a remarkable comeback.
The American team demonstrated remarkable composure and confidence under pressure. Although the lineup differed from the gold medal-winning team at Beijing 2022, with Christopher Lillis being the only returning member, the trio executed flawlessly. They performed three strong jumps in the Super Final to successfully defend their Olympic title.
Silver and Bronze Medalists
Switzerland claimed the silver medal with a score of 296.91 points, represented by Lina Kozomara, Pirmin Werner, and Noé Roth. This achievement marked Switzerland's first-ever medal in the mixed team aerials event. Roth added a second medal to his collection, having previously won silver in the men's individual competition earlier in the Games.
The People's Republic of China secured the bronze medal with a score of 279.68 points, featuring Xu Mengtao, Wang Xindi, and Li Tianma. China entered the final with high expectations after winning gold in both the men's and women's individual aerials events, and having earned silver in the mixed team event at Beijing 2022.
Dominant Performance from Start to Finish
In the qualifying round, Team USA was dominant. Kaila Kuhn opened with a back-full-full-full, scoring 106.89 points. Connor Curran followed with a clean back full-double full-full, and Christopher Lillis delivered an even better jump. The team posted a combined score of 351.23 points, placing them well ahead of China, Australia, and Switzerland.
However, scores were reset before the Super Final, requiring the Americans to repeat their brilliance. Kuhn scored 94.44 points in the final round, Curran followed with a strong performance, and Lillis sealed the victory with a back double-full-full-full, celebrating after sticking the landing. The United States executed six straight clean jumps across both the qualifying and final rounds, making it a memorable night for Team USA.
The victory not only highlighted the skill and determination of the American athletes but also solidified their place in Winter Olympics history. This gold medal underscores Team USA's growing prowess in freestyle skiing and sets a new benchmark for future competitions.
