Two Utahns Finish Empty-Handed In Freestyle Skiing Aerials Final
Feb 18, 2026, 6:36 AM | Updated: 10:56 am
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Kaila Kuhn of Team United States reacts after competing in the Women's Aerials Final One on day twelve of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 18, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
LIVIGNO, Italy – Current Ute Kaila Kuhn and former Ute Winter Vinecki led the all-University of Utah women’s aerial team with a pair of top-six finishes in freestyle skiing aerials.
China’s Mengtao Xu (Gold) and Qi Shao (Bronze) joined Australia’s Danielle Scott (Silver) on the podium at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Medal Count
Fun fact: the entire U.S. Women’s Freestyle Skiing Aerials team, which is set to compete tomorrow morning around 2:45a MT, is comprised entirely of #UofU students and alumni. #GoUtes #OlympiansMadeHere
📸 Tasia Tanner pic.twitter.com/XMy9VhUnxg
— University of Utah (@UUtah) February 17, 2026
Kaila Kuhn
Qualifying
The first U.S. Olympian to advance, Kaila Kuhn‘s 89.26 opening-round score was sixth in the heat, sending her straight to the first final.
Final 1
Kuhn finished her first jump with an 87, ninth in the first final.
The 2025 World Champion rocketed up the leaderboard to third after logging a 109.9 on her second jump.
Three ladies heading to aerials finals⭐️💃
Watch Kaila Kuhn, Winter Vinecki and Tasia Tanner in the finals at 7:00 am ET on @peacock 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6zYa93XTyT
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) February 18, 2026
Big Final
The Michigan native was in Bronze medal position with two jumpers remaining. She scored a 99.16 in her final jump.
Kuhn was knocked off the podium by the next racer.
Winter Vinecki
Qualifying
Utah’s Winter Vinecki needed two runs to secure a spot in the final. Vinecki entered the first final tenth.
Final 1
The 27-year-old was third on the hill.
Vinecki soared through the sky, earning a 99.89. She was sixth after the first round of jumps.
A second jump score of 107.75 positioned her for a berth in the big final.
Big Final
Vinecki couldn’t stick the landing on an impressive jump, giving her a disappointing score of 90.58.
Tasia Tanner
Qualifying
Tasia Tanner was the last member of Team USA to advance. Her 80.01 score beat out the next competitor by less than two-tenths of a point.
Final 1
Tanner began the final round by virtue of being the last qualifier.
Tanner didn’t have her best effort in the first final. She finished 11th of 12 competitors with an 85.36.
The Salt Lake City native saw her medal hopes dashed when she failed to reach the big final.
Kyra Dossa
Qualifying
Dossa finished 14th in the qualification rounds, costing her a chance at medaling.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies, Locals in MLB, and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees, Beehive baseball, and Aggie athletics coverage here.
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