2026 Olympic Freestyle Skiing Women's Aerials Prediction & Preview
Updated February 16, 2026
Updated February 16, 2026
The women’s aerials competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is set to be one of the final freestyle skiing medal events of the Winter Games. With some of the sport’s most accomplished aerial skiers converging on the steep jumps and landing hills of Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park, the gold medal could go to one of several worthy competitors. Before this event gets started, you can continue reading to find my Olympic women's aerials prediction in freestyle skiing.
Below is a snapshot of the latest listed odds for the women’s aerials event, focusing on outright winner markets, with odds subject to change leading up to the event:
Aerials is always one of the most unpredictable freestyle events at the Winter Olympics, and 2026 is no exception. One of the biggest stories revolves around China’s veteran star Mengtao Xu, who returns to Olympic competition after medaling in previous Games and recently placed high on the World Cup circuit. Xu’s experience and consistency have helped make her the clear favorite with the betting markets, and she is widely viewed as a likely medal threat once again.
The rise of young American talent is another key narrative. Kaila Kuhn captured attention on the World Cup tour with strong performances and a world title in recent major championships, and she appears ready to convert that momentum into Olympic success. U.S. teammate Winter Vinecki also showed excellent form in the qualification rounds of recent World Cup stops, indicating the United States may have multiple entrants capable of reaching the podium.
From Australia, Laura Peel continues to enjoy strong results this season and ranks near the top of international standings. Fellow Australian Danielle Scott adds depth to the Aussie contingent in the field and has shown an ability to challenge for top finishes when executing her most difficult jumps. Canada’s Marion Thenault and China’s Meiting Chen bring experience and consistent scores as well, opening the door to surprises in a field where execution on the day is everything.
Pick: Mengtao Xu (CHN) ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Olympic aerials rewards athletes who balance degree of difficulty with impeccable form and clean landings. Xu’s consistency in delivering technically demanding tricks with minimal error is what places her as the most probable gold medalist, according to current betting markets and results. Bettors looking for a slightly higher payout might consider a top 3 wager on Kuhn or Kong, as both have the talent to achieve podium results if they peak at the right time.
In events where judges are so heavily involved, there is always room for surprises. The aerials at these Games promise to be exciting, and with multiple nations fielding strong competitors, each phase of competition will be contested fiercely. For now, backing Xu as the favorite with a solid confidence ranking is my choice going into this event.
