Zoi Sadowski-Synnott begins her Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic title defense as the undisputed favorite in women's snowboarding. The Wanaka-born rider carries New Zealand's highest medal expectations at these Winter Games.

Championship Pedigree

Sadowski-Synnott won slopestyle gold at Beijing 2022, becoming New Zealand's first Winter Olympic champion in 26 years. She followed that with slopestyle and big air gold medals at the 2025 World Championships. The 24-year-old enters these Games on a 12-event winning streak.

Technical Dominance

Her switch backside 1080 is considered the most consistent trick in women's slopestyle. She lands rail combinations with greater precision than any competitor. Judges consistently award her the highest execution scores in competition.

Home Advantage

The Milano Cortina venue features a slopestyle course similar to her training facility in Cardrona. European snow conditions match her preferred firm, fast landings. She won the test event here in February 2025 by a margin of 12 points.

Competition Schedule

Slopestyle qualification begins February 8, with finals February 9. Big air events run February 13-14 in Milan. Sadowski-Synnott enters both disciplines as the top seed.

Legacy Considerations

Victory would make her New Zealand's most successful Winter Olympian. She would join an elite group of snowboarders to defend Olympic slopestyle titles. Commercial opportunities with global brands await a successful defense.