New Zealand Freeskier Lands 94-Point Jump at Olympics

At 21 years old, Luca Harrington launched himself into Olympic history with a triple cork 1980 that defied gravity and earned him a massive 94-point score in the freeski big air final. The Wānaka native soared so high above the 88-meter ramp in northern Italy that even he called it "one of the scariest" tricks he'd ever landed.

The score put Harrington in medal position after the first round as snow fell heavily at Livigno Snow Park. Fresh off winning bronze in slopestyle just days earlier, the young freeskier was chasing a second medal at his first Winter Olympics.

But the Milano Cortina Games had other plans. Two competitors made history with back-to-back scores above 98 points, a mark never before seen in Olympic freeskiing, pushing Harrington just off the podium.

His final two jumps didn't land as planned. On his last attempt, needing at least 93 points to medal, Harrington spun out of control and crashed into the soft snow, finishing with a combined score of 160.50.

Instead of dwelling on what could have been, Harrington rushed to hug his competitors at the finish line. That's just how freeskiers and snowboarders roll, celebrating each other's victories like family.

Why This Inspires

Harrington's response to falling short tells you everything about what makes him special. He spoke with raw honesty about feeling "sad and bummed" but immediately followed it up with gratitude for being part of such an incredible event.

The journey to get there wasn't easy. Harrington dropped out of traditional high school for online learning because he couldn't balance both. He lost friends during that final year but gained a global community of athletes who became his new family.

His parents invested countless hours and money to help him chase his dreams. That support allowed him to eventually secure his own sponsorships and take his career to new heights.

Harrington arrived in Italy as a world champion and Crystal Globe winner in big air, plus a two-time X-Games gold medalist. But he said the Olympic pressure felt different with the whole sporting world watching.

"We've had a lot of sacrifices, but I've also had so many opportunities," Harrington told reporters after the final. "I'm so honored to be here and be part of that event tonight for putting it all out on the line."

He walked away from his first Olympics with one bronze medal, breathtaking memories, and the respect of everyone who watched him compete. Sometimes getting greedy, as he joked, doesn't pan out exactly as planned.

But Harrington proved that the real victory isn't always standing on the podium. It's about giving everything you have, supporting your fellow athletes, and being proud of the journey that got you there.