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The Olympic spotlight turned back to the Big Air jump with Luca Harrington, Ben Barclay, and Lucas Ball playing their part in an awe-inspiring qualification round. With temperatures hovering at -8°C, the conditions were fast and firm — perfect for high-flying action.
Things got off to a fiery start with the first competitor out of the gate, Austria’s Matej Svancer, landing a switch left triple 1800 — five full rotations — for a huge opening score of 92.25 out of a possible 100 points. The USA’s Mac Forehand answered with a triple cork 1980, upping the rotation and the score to 93.25. Several other competitors would follow suit with big tricks and scores in the 90s.
The benchmark was high from the outset, but in Big Air, a strong first trick is only half the equation. Riders must combine two high-scoring tricks spun in two different directions, with the trick scores added together to determine who advances to the final.
Harrington opted for a progressive first trick, setting up the right double cork 1440 with a pull back to a 1260 with safety grab. His score of 84.25 would get him off to a solid start.
Ben Barclay got the left triple cork 1800 down on his first run, landing slightly back seat but holding on for a score of 70.50. Lucas Ball sent it to the moon with an 1800 on his first jump. He got the biggest amplitude of the night, landing deep but getting thrown off his feet with the sheer force of his landing.
Run two got underway with the question hanging – how do you better that? With so many competitors showing they could land big spins, the judges were looking for variety and a point of difference. Harrington came through, adding a stylish two-handed grab to his switch triple 1800 for a second run score of 92. At the end of run two, he would be sitting in fifth place.
With two big scores already on the board and his finals spot all but secure, Harrington showed no signs of easing off. Opting for a triple 1980 on his final attempt, he landed it cleanly and was rewarded with 87.75 — sealing his place in the final.
“I’m proud of what I put down today,” said Harrington. “I came in with a goal to do those first two tricks and I executed that clean. It’s been a crazy event, heavier than most of our final Big Airs that we’ve seen. Incredible riding from all the athletes tonight.” He continued:
“I was really proud of myself to put down that first trick, the 1440 pullback to 12. It’s something I’ve been really working on for a long time. I’ve always wanted to pull it out and show the judges what I had. It was a pleasure to do that tonight. I thought it might have got rewarded a little more but it’s trying to push the sport in a different direction. Seeing what does get rewarded and what doesn’t, I’m proud of myself for just doing that.
“The tricks that were being put down are just spectacular, these are massive, massive tricks. A lot of these guys have pulled out new, bigger tricks just even for the qualies, so I think we’re going to have an exciting show for the final.”
Barclay backed up his first run with a score of 69 for a switch left double cork 1800. Unable to increase his score on his final attempt, he would finish in 19th place and not progress to finals. Ball responded on his second run with a 1980, earning 44.25 and sitting 24th heading into his final jump. The 17-year-old closed out his Olympic campaign in style, stomping a triple cork 1620 for 90 points — a statement performance that signals he’ll be one to watch in the years ahead.
“It was pretty crazy out there,” confirmed Barclay. “People are doing insane stuff. Finals is going to be off the hook. This event isn’t really my forte, so just to be out there, land a couple of tricks, is all I could ask for. I’m in spectator mode now, ready to watch Luca and I’ll be the loudest in the crowd.”
Ball said he was “super happy to be here. It didn’t go the way I wanted to, but I’m just stoked to be out here. Obviously, I’m bummed I didn’t get two tricks down and keep going, but I’m just happy to land that last one and show everyone a bit of what I can do and how I ski.
"It’s going to be sick to watch Luca in finals. It’s just nice to see everyone sharing the Olympic experience together and having fun regardless of the results.”