Finnish Skier Elias Lajunen Suffers Heavy Fall During Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Qualifier

It was a frightening moment on Sunday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics when Finnish freestyle skier Elias Lajunen suffered a serious fall during the big air qualifying round.

The 18-year-old athlete crashed-landed after launching off a 40-meter ramp, bringing the event to a temporary halt as medical personnel rushed to his aid. The incident unfolded during his first attempt in the qualifying round, cutting short what was meant to be a major Olympic appearance for the young skier.

Competing in the freestyle big air event, Lajunen descended the 40-meter (131-foot) ramp with speed and control before attempting a final aerial rotation. However, he appeared to lose balance mid-air and was unable to stabilize before landing.

The impact was significant enough to stop the competition immediately. Officials paused the event while medics assessed the situation on the slope, as spectators watched in silence.

As a result of the fall, Lajunen was unable to continue in the remaining qualifying runs and was withdrawn from the competition for medical evaluation.

Several hours after the accident, reports indicated that Lajunen was conscious and in stable condition. Although he sustained visible injuries to the right side of his face, medical examinations reportedly revealed no serious internal complications.

He was transported to a local hospital for further tests and kept under overnight observation as a precautionary measure. Medical staff later revealed that the athlete was responsive and recovering.

Elias Lajunen, the son of Samppa Lajunen, a three-time Olympic champion in Nordic combined, arrived at Milano Cortina 2026 as one of Finland’s emerging freestyle talents and added legacy weight to his Olympic journey.

Before the Games, he had competed at the 2025 World Championships, finishing 31st in slopestyle and 32nd in big air. In the slopestyle qualifying round at Milano Cortina 2026, he placed 18th—just outside the top 12 needed to advance to the medal stage.

Other Finnish competitors in the big air qualifying round included Elias Syrja and Kuura Koivisto, though neither advanced to the final.

The qualifying round was ultimately dominated by American skier Mac Forehand, who posted scores of 93.25 and 89.75, finishing first with a combined total of 183.00 points.

Following the incident, social media platforms and sports forums were filled with messages of support for the young Finnish skier.

One fan wrote, “I’m glad he’s conscious and moving. Let’s pray for a speedy recovery, young man. Stay strong.” Another spectator commented, “I saw it live, it looked awful. I’m glad he’s okay.”

For now, the focus remains on Lajunen’s recovery. While his Olympic campaign may have been cut short, the positive medical update offers reassurance that the promising Finnish skier can look ahead to future competitions once fully fit.