Snowboard-China's Su advances, Norway's Roisland knocked out in first big air event

LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb 5 - Defending big air Olympic champion Su Yiming, from China, made it through the first round of snowboarding competition at the 2026 Games on Thursday despite a rocky start, while 2022 silver medallist Mons Roisland failed to advance to the finals.

All four members of Japan's powerhouse line-up also made the group of 12 that will compete in the big air finals on Saturday in the Italian resort town of Livigno. Hiroto Ogiwara led the pack, and teammate Kira Kimura ranked third.

Su fell on his landing in the first of three rounds at the Milano Cortina Games on a jump he said he did not consider difficult. He gained momentum in the following two, locking in a long, high switch backside that granted him a fourth-place finish.

"I was very disappointed in myself after the first jump," Su said. "To have to deliver in the last two jumps, I had no room for error. I had to give each of them my all."

"After making the final, I will actually feel less pressure because I have already reached the stage to vie for the biggest prize," the 21-year-old added.

Despite showing off his precision from the start, offering a clean and highly technical jump, Norway's Roisland fell at the end of his second jump and did not make it through, ending 16th in the ranking. He said he was happy with his riding even though he did not advance.

"I just underestimated the level that was going to be out there today," Roisland said. "It was just through the roof. Kudos to everyone today."

Ian Matteoli, 20, the first Italian to conquer the World Cup podium, stunned on home snow from the start, grabbing his board firm until the end of his jump in the first round and was showered with applause by the audience.

Despite a dirty landing on his second round, he kept the level high, and jumped to second place in the qualifiers. He said he had "no expectations" going into the event.

"Taking part in an Olympics at home is a great emotion," he said. "It's still difficult to come to grips with it."

Hours before the races, Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris, a three-times Olympic bronze medallist, said he would not be able to take part in Thursday's qualifying event after hitting his head during a training run.

His last-minute replacement, Australia's Valentino Guselli, landed three strong runs and made it to the finals.

"It's been a while since I put anything decent down in a big air competition," Guselli said. "Perfect time to do it." REUTERS