Imagine landing a trick you’ve never attempted in competition—only to find yourself catapulted into the Olympic final. That’s exactly what happened to Mela Stalker, and her story is nothing short of thrilling. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is relying on untested maneuvers in high-stakes events a stroke of genius or a risky gamble? Let’s dive in.
Mela Stalker, a 22-year-old athlete with dreams as big as the silver screen—literally, as she aspires to make movies one day—has already begun living her own cinematic moment. On Sunday, during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, she secured her spot in the women’s big air final. After a shaky start, she rallied with scores of 82.25 and 82.75, clinching her place in the top 12 alongside fellow Australian Tess Coady. 'It’s like your heart’s in your mouth the whole time before you land something,' Stalker admitted. 'But to finally put it down and just release—it’s like, I’m here to play.'
What makes her achievement even more remarkable? The trick that sealed her qualification—the backside dub 1080—was one she’d learned just eight days prior in Livigno, after a mere three practice sessions. 'I’m pretty stoked to have landed it, let alone with the score I got,' she said. For the uninitiated, the backside dub 1080 involves three full rotations with two off-axis movements—a mental and physical challenge Stalker had been hesitant to tackle until now. 'It’s quite a mental one,' she acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Stalker’s teammate, Tess Coady, faced her own nerve-wracking journey. After securing a 75 on her final qualifying run, Coady found herself in a precarious position as other athletes vied for spots in the top 12. 'It’s the worst feeling, just waiting and getting bumped lower and lower,' Coady shared. 'There’s nothing you can do but watch.'
And this is the part most people miss: The order in which athletes compete can significantly impact their scores. Coady, who will lead off Monday’s final due to reverse seeding, highlighted the disadvantage of going first. Judges often use early runs to calibrate their scoring, which can result in lower marks for the same trick compared to later competitors. 'It’s one of those things you just have to manage,' Coady explained. 'You kind of have to hope they like it.'
Here’s the controversial question: Should Olympic scoring systems be adjusted to account for the inherent disadvantage of early competitors? Or is it part of the sport’s strategic challenge? Weigh in below—we’d love to hear your thoughts.
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