British snowboarding sensation Mia Brookes has stormed into the women's Big Air final at the Livigno 2026 Winter Olympics, delivering a performance that blended nerve, skill, and heavy metal soundtrack. The 19-year-old secured her place in Monday's final with a commanding total score of 167.0, earning third position in the qualification round behind New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Japan's Kokomo Murase.
Overcoming Early Setback
The qualification round at Livigno Snow Park on Sunday evening began dramatically for Brookes, who fell attempting a backside 12 on her first of three jumps. With only the top two scores counting toward qualification, the pressure mounted immediately. However, the young athlete demonstrated remarkable composure, nailing the same trick on her second attempt for a score of 89.0, followed by a safety-first cab 10 on her third jump that earned 78.0 points.
Relief and Realisation
"It was special to land that third one," admitted a visibly relieved Brookes after securing her final position. "You're definitely in the air thinking about it in the back of your mind, spinning, like 'oh my God, I've got to land this one', so it's special." The athlete, who executes her jumps to a soundtrack featuring Metallica and Pantera, acknowledged the unique pressure of Olympic competition, describing how the four-year cycle amplifies expectations.
Family Support and Media Shielding
Brookes has been supported throughout her Olympic journey by parents Nigel and Vicky, who are staying nearby in the same camper van that transported her to junior competitions. The family approach has included shielding the young athlete from extensive media duties in the build-up to the Games, allowing her to focus on performance despite being crowned the sport's youngest world champion at just 16 in 2023.
Olympic Perspective
Despite her competitive success, Brookes maintains a refreshing perspective on her Olympic participation. "I never came here to get a medal, I never came here to get a gold," she explained. "I just wanted to come here and show everyone how much fun snowboarding is, and if I'm still loving snowboarding as much as I did when I started, then I've already won."
Potential British Double
Brookes' qualification sets up a potentially historic Monday for British winter sports, with her Big Air final scheduled for the evening hours after fellow Brit Kirsty Muir competes in the women's ski slopestyle medal event. "I've grown up with Kirsty and we've known each other since we were young," Brookes noted. "To go into an Olympic final on the same day, representing Great Britain, is really special."
The athlete described the Olympic village atmosphere as "really chill" and "mellow" despite the significant pressure, though admitted to feeling nerves at the top of the jump. Her performance validates the considerable expectations placed upon her as she makes her Olympic debut, demonstrating both technical skill and mental resilience under the brightest sporting spotlight.
