Key Takeaways
- The Canadian Olympic Committee and Freestyle Canada have announced the roster of Team Canada freestyle skiing athletes for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
- The team includes experienced athletes such as Mikaël Kingsbury, Marion Thénault, and Cassie Sharpe, as well as newcomers like Maïa Schwinghammer and Naomi Urness.
- The freestyle skiing events will take place from February 7 to 21, 2026, at the Livigno Snow Park and Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park.
- Canada has a strong history in freestyle skiing, with 30 Olympic medals won since the sport’s debut in 1992.
- The team is led by coaches and support staff, including Michel Hamelin, Jim Schiman, and Dean Bercovitch, and is supported by a range of medical and mental health professionals.
Introduction to Team Canada
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Freestyle Canada have announced the roster of Team Canada freestyle skiing athletes selected to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their performances across the Olympic Qualification window, which saw them compete in various events around the world. The team is comprised of athletes from across Canada, with a range of experience and backgrounds. For example, Mikaël Kingsbury, a gold medallist from PyeongChang 2018 and silver medallist from both Beijing 2022 and Sochi 2014, will be making his fourth Olympic appearance. Kingsbury has won 29 Crystal Globes and is a nine-time world champion, making him one of the most successful freestyle skiers in history.
Moguls and Dual Moguls Team
The moguls and dual moguls team includes experienced athletes such as Mikaël Kingsbury, as well as newcomers like Maïa Schwinghammer and Julien Viel. Schwinghammer, a bronze medallist in women’s moguls from the 2025 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships, will be making her Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026. Viel recently captured his first World Cup victory in dual moguls at Val Saint-Côme, and will be competing in his first Olympic Games. The addition of dual moguls to the Olympic program is an exciting development for the sport, and Canada is well-represented in this event. Kingsbury, who has won 100 FIS World Cup victories, will be aiming to earn his fourth Olympic medal in the moguls event. "It’s an honour for me to represent Canada at the Olympic Games for the fourth time in my career," said Kingsbury. "I always felt it was a privilege to wear my country’s colours and this year will be even more memorable for me."
Aerials Team
The aerials team brings a wealth of experience, with Lewis Irving returning for his third Olympic Winter Games and Marion Thénault, Miha Fontaine, and Émile Nadeau competing in their second. Irving, Thénault, and Fontaine previously stood on the Olympic podium together, winning bronze in the inaugural aerials mixed team event at Beijing 2022. Thénault, an RBC Training Ground alumna, only began skiing in 2017 after spending 14 years as a gymnast, and has 13 World Cup podiums, including two runner-up finishes this season. "I am just so thrilled to have the opportunity to compete at the Olympics again," said Thénault. "The support I have received in the past few years is just extraordinary. To all of you, thank you! I love what I do and I love sharing it with the world, I am ready to do all of that in Livigno!" The aerials team has a strong chance of medaling, with Thénault and Irving being two of the top contenders in the event.
Slopestyle and Big Air Team
On the slopestyle and big air side, Elena Gaskell will make her Olympic return after suffering an injury in training at Beijing 2022 that prevented her from competing. Following years of resilience and dedication through injury rehabilitation, she marked her comeback with a third-place finish at the Aspen World Cup in early January 2026, securing her place on the Olympic roster. Naomi Urness will make her Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, after earning multiple big air podiums on the World Cup circuit throughout late 2025. "Making the Olympic team is incredibly rewarding and still feels unreal," said Urness. "I’m beyond excited to represent and compete for Canada!" The slopestyle and big air team has a mix of experienced and new athletes, and will be looking to make a strong impression at the Olympics.
Halfpipe Team
The halfpipe team is highlighted by Olympic gold and silver medallist, Cassie Sharpe, and Olympic bronze medallist, Rachael Karker. After Sharpe and Karker secured a historic double podium in Beijing, they are looking to replicate that success on the Olympic stage once again. Andrew Longino will make his Olympic debut after having won gold at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games where he was named Team Canada’s Closing Ceremony Flag Bearer. The halfpipe team has a strong chance of medaling, with Sharpe and Karker being two of the top contenders in the event.
Canada’s History in Freestyle Skiing
Canada has a long history of excelling in freestyle skiing, with 30 Olympic medals won since the sport’s official debut at Albertville 1992. The team is led by coaches and support staff, including Michel Hamelin, Jim Schiman, and Dean Bercovitch, and is supported by a range of medical and mental health professionals. "I cannot believe how tight the race was to be nominated to this team, and that speaks to the depth and strength we have across disciplines and genders," said Todd Allison, Freestyle Canada’s High Performance Director. "While it is hard that injuries interrupted some Olympic dreams for Italy, we are excited for the performances that we’ll see in Livigno, and for the next wave already building towards French Alps 2030."
Conclusion and Media Availability
The freestyle skiing events will take place throughout the duration of the Games, beginning on February 7 (Day 1) with the slopestyle qualification rounds, and will wrap up on February 21 (Day 15) with the women’s halfpipe final. The freestyle skiing events will take place at the Livigno Snow Park and Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park. Athletes and coaches from the Aerials team will be available for in-person media interviews, photo and b-roll opportunities on Wednesday, January 21, while athletes from the Half Pipe team will be available for a virtual media availability. Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 freestyle team also includes the following coaches and support staff, who will be available for interviews and media opportunities.