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LIVIGNO, Italy – Team USA's Kaila Kuhn finished fifth in a tight women's aerials medal race Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park.
Kuhn had a score of 99.16, while fellow American Winter Vinecki finished right behind her with a 90.58 in sixth place.
Both had a shot to medal after advancing to the final run among the top 6 competitors. But Xu Mengtao fo China claimed gold with a 112.90, followed by Australia's Danielle Scott taking silver and China's Shao Qi took home bronze with a 101.90.
Freestyle skiing aerials is a high-flying, acrobatic event with jumps judged on qualities such as height, form and a solid landing.
Traditionally, the United States has not been a powerhouse in this event at the Olympics. When American Megan Nick won a bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, it was Team USA's first women's aerials medal since 1998.
But Kuhn was already considered one of the world's best in this event. She placed first in women's aerials at the 2025 World Championships in Switzerland.
"That was a huge confidence boost, winning the world championships," she told media after qualifying for the Feb. 18 finals, "but this is a totally different event. It really does just make me feel like I belong here with all of the women in the world that are absolutely crushing it."
This was Kuhn's second Olympics appearance. She placed eighth in aerials in Beijing.
Kuhn, 22, hails from Boyne City, Michigan, and has been skiing since she was less than 2 years old. She ended up switching to skiing for good after competing in gymnastics as a youngster, according to her Team USA bio.
The women's aerials competition was postponed by heavy snow this week in Livigno, with qualifying moved to the same day as the finals. Three Americans advanced as a part of the Top 12 after morning qualifying: Kuhn (6th), Winter Vinecki (10th) and Tasia Tanner (12th).
Vinecki placed xth in the finals, while Tanner finished xth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No medal for USA but Kaila Kuhn and Winter Vinecki get top 6 finishes
Continue reading...
Kuhn had a score of 99.16, while fellow American Winter Vinecki finished right behind her with a 90.58 in sixth place.
Both had a shot to medal after advancing to the final run among the top 6 competitors. But Xu Mengtao fo China claimed gold with a 112.90, followed by Australia's Danielle Scott taking silver and China's Shao Qi took home bronze with a 101.90.
Freestyle skiing aerials is a high-flying, acrobatic event with jumps judged on qualities such as height, form and a solid landing.
Traditionally, the United States has not been a powerhouse in this event at the Olympics. When American Megan Nick won a bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, it was Team USA's first women's aerials medal since 1998.
But Kuhn was already considered one of the world's best in this event. She placed first in women's aerials at the 2025 World Championships in Switzerland.
"That was a huge confidence boost, winning the world championships," she told media after qualifying for the Feb. 18 finals, "but this is a totally different event. It really does just make me feel like I belong here with all of the women in the world that are absolutely crushing it."
This was Kuhn's second Olympics appearance. She placed eighth in aerials in Beijing.
Kuhn, 22, hails from Boyne City, Michigan, and has been skiing since she was less than 2 years old. She ended up switching to skiing for good after competing in gymnastics as a youngster, according to her Team USA bio.
The women's aerials competition was postponed by heavy snow this week in Livigno, with qualifying moved to the same day as the finals. Three Americans advanced as a part of the Top 12 after morning qualifying: Kuhn (6th), Winter Vinecki (10th) and Tasia Tanner (12th).
Vinecki placed xth in the finals, while Tanner finished xth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No medal for USA but Kaila Kuhn and Winter Vinecki get top 6 finishes
Continue reading...
