Libby Olympian Ralph ninth in freeski slopestyle
The Western News | The Western News | UPDATED 6 hours, 59 minutes AGO
Libby native Konnor Ralph was recently chosen to be a member of the 2026 U.S. Ski and Snowboard team for the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Italy. (Courtesy photo)
Libby native and U.S. Olympics team member Konnor Ralph placed ninth in the men’s freeski slopestyle Tuesday at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
Ralph, 23, had his best score of 66.76 in the second of three finals runs. He scored 36.20 in his first and 35.90 in the third.
Norway’s Birk Ruud won the gold medal with a first-run score of 86.28. Ruud earned the top qualifying spot Feb. 7 with an 81.75 score.
American Alex Hall claimed silver with a second-run 85.75. Hall was the reigning Olympic champion in the event. Fellow American Mac Forehand was 11th in the medal round.
New Zealand’s Luca Harrington won the bronze medal with a first-run score of 78.65.
Feb. 7 was Ralph’s Olympic debut and he clearly made the most of it. He scored 68.91 at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy. There were 29 competitors and the top 12 qualified for the final.
Ralph now prepares for the men's freeski big air qualifying round Sunday, Feb. 15.
Ralph is joined by one other Montanan - Whitefish's Jake Sanderson - in the Winter Olympic Games. Sanderson is a member of Team USA's men's hockey team. The U.S. began pool play against Latvia on Thursday, Feb. 12.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Norway has surged into the medal lead with 13, including seven gold, which is also first.
Host Italy is tied with Norway for the most medals with 13, including four golds, two silvers and seven bronze.
The U.S. is also piling up the medals as they have 11, second overall. American athletes have collected four gold medals, which is tied for second with Switzerland and Italy. The U.S. has five silver medals, tied with Austria for first.