[OLYMPICS] Why Olympic Snowboard Scores Sparked Debate-and How Judging Could Soon Change - SnowBrains

"The key point with Mari's run was it was absolutely flawless execution. Begg explained that judges wanted to see riders spinning in all directions. In snowboarding, riders can spin in four different directions: frontside, backside, switch frontside, and switch backside. Fukada had included each direction in her run, earning her the highest score of the contest."

"Fukada's run featured a switch 1260 (three and a half rotations), followed by two 720s (two rotations). This run would propel her into first place with a score of 87.83, giving her Olympic gold. Sadowski-Synott's run included a switch backside 900 (three and a half rotations) and two 1080s (three rotations), landing her in second place with a score of 87.48."

At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Mari Fukada's gold medal victory in women's freestyle snowboarding slopestyle sparked controversy over judging criteria. Fukada's winning run scored 87.83 with a switch 1260 and two 720s, while silver medalist Zoi Sadowski-Synott scored 87.48 with a switch backside 900 and two 1080s. Viewers questioned why Fukada won despite Sadowski-Synott performing larger spins. Judges Gaz Vogen and Adam Begg clarified that Fukada's flawless execution and inclusion of all four spinning directions—frontside, backside, switch frontside, and switch backside—determined the scoring. This explanation prompted broader discussion about snowboarding judging standards and future scoring methodologies.

Read at SnowBrains