Local Parkite Wins Big Air, Qualifies for Milan Olympics

Troy Podmilsak delivered a decisive performance at the big air World Cup in Steamboat Springs on December 13, scoring 182.5 to take first place and narrowly edging teammate Konnor Ralph into second. Australia s Luca Harrington finished third. Podmilsak s victory is his second World Cup win this season, following an earlier triumph in Secret Garden, China, and with those results he has secured qualification for the Milan 2026 Olympics in both big air and slopestyle. He will join U.S. freeski teammate Alex Hall on the Olympic roster.

The outcome matters for Summit County on multiple fronts. Podmilsak is identified as a Parkite, and fellow Parkite Rell Harwood placed eighth in the event, underlining the depth of elite talent tied to the local community. On the women s side, 17 year old Avery Krumme was the top U.S. finisher with a fourth place showing, signaling a strong youth pipeline coming from regional programs.

From a statistical perspective, Podmilsak s 182.5 score and two World Cup wins this season provide objective evidence of peak competitive form, and Olympic qualification compounds that signal into broader market effects. Local businesses that cater to winter sports tourists stand to gain from elevated visibility when hometown athletes succeed on the world stage. Sponsors and equipment brands often shift marketing spend toward athletes within Olympic cycles, which can translate into endorsement deals, product trials, and retail demand spikes in ski towns like those in Summit County.

Policymakers and local sport organizers should view this as an opportunity to convert athletic success into sustained economic and community benefits. Investments in youth training, shared facility access, and event hosting can leverage increased interest to grow participant numbers and off season activity. Additionally, coordination with county tourism and business development offices can ensure that media attention around Milan 2026 translates into bookings, retail sales, and broader brand recognition for Summit County.

Longer term, the results underscore a trend of younger athletes breaking through on the global freeski circuit, which has implications for coaching capacity, safety standards, and equipment demand. For residents and local leaders alike, the immediate win is athletic, while the strategic task is to harness that momentum for lasting economic and social returns.