'Debaucherous' jump and 'spectacular' finale lead to 'best-ever freeski big air' as Norway's Tormod Frostad wins gold at Milano Cortina Olympic Games
Updated 17/02/2026 at 23:50 GMT
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TNT Sports commentators James Woods and James Webb demanded "bonus points" for French freestyle skier Matias Roche after he sent a kicker flag flying in the men's freeski big air final at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Norway's Tormod Frostad claimed gold in the event with a staggering final jump, which capped what Woods and Webb said was the highest-quality final ever seen in the big air.
'That is debaucherous!' - Roche hits flag mid-air in 'sick' big air jump
Video credit: TNT Sports
Matias Roche may not have medalled, but the Frenchman provided the highlight from the "most historic men's freeski big air final of all time" at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
TNT Sports commentators James Woods and James Webb were left in awe, demanding "bonus points" after Roche landed a "sick" trick with an added bit of flair.
In a wild moment which could easily have gone unnoticed before the slow-motion replays, Roche skied the width of the run before launching a staggering triple cork 1980, wiping out one of the flags which guard either side of the kicker.
"Oh my goodness he hit the flag," Webb exclaimed.
"That was sick. It was debaucherous. Tap on the flag. You know they talk about using the course. I want to see bonus points, man.
"He tapped the flag on that nose butter, meaning he was within a centimetre of the side of that jump.
"Why? Because he’s drifting from skiers right to skiers left. If he’d have taken off on the far left of that takeoff, he’d have missed the landing altogether and landed in the crowd."
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Frostad lands gold by narrowest of margins after 'beautiful' run
Video credit: TNT Sports
Roche's staggering second run was just one wonderful moment in an outrageous final, which was dubbed the best of all-time by TNT Sports' experts, despite playing out in treacherous heavy snow.
Norway's Tormod Frostad took gold with the final jump of the evening, clearing second-placed Mac Forehand of Team USA by over two points in the total scores as he nailed a right nose butter double bio 1620 which earned the biggest score of the night at 98.50.
Austria's Matej Svancer, meanwhile, took the bronze medal in third.
"Oh my goodness, it's all changed at the last jump," Webb said. "It came down to the last three, and the very last couple of jumps. Frostad takes the gold for Norway in spectacular fashion, in what is the best free skiing competition I have ever witnessed."
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Woods agreed with his commentary partner's assessment of Tuesday evening's action.
"That was absolutely incredible," he said. "That fella right there [Frostad] - killer mode, does incredible things.
"I cannot speak to the testament of how perfect those guys skied. That was beautiful, beautiful stuff.
"We have just witnessed the most historic men's freeski big air final of all time here at Milano Cortina 2026. The biggest rotations, multiple 21s, different, wild varieties.
"This has gone off the charts. We've shouted ourselves hoarse in here."
Unfortunately for Roche, the second run which garnered so much praise was the only one which saw him score notably, as he finished 10th out of 12 skiers.
Speaking in TNT Sports' studio after the thrilling final, Woods was still gushing over the quality on display.
"It was a beautiful event," he said. "I cannot even tell you how amazing it was.
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"It was wide open. Pretty much anyone in the qualifications could have gone through to that final and posed a massive threat for gold. But the event, it was amazing. For me, watching it, I got super excited.
"There were incredible tricks. But the pace and the cadence of the competition, with the weather as well. The snowfall was dramatic, by the middle of the second run it was just fully coming down. But it didn't throw anyone off their game.
"What I have to say, freeskiing won tonight. There's no one in the whole wide world that wouldn't be absolutely hysterical on that podium."
Watch every moment of the 2026 Winter Olympics from Milano Cortina live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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