On a day when the world watched moguls athletes push the limits, Saskatoon’s own Maia Schwinghammer delivered the kind of run that cements a career—and inspires a province. In her Olympic debut, the 24-year-old finished fifth in the women’s moguls, just shy of the podium but miles ahead in heart, execution, and promise.
Competing with the poise of a veteran, Schwinghammer opened her final run with a crisp cork 7, followed by a superb back mute, drawing roars from the crowd lining the course. She crossed the line with her hands in the air, clocking a faster run at 26.42 seconds and earning a score of 77.61—the top Canadian finish of the day and enough to place her among the best in the world.
For a kid who learned to ski by being towed behind a snowmobile on Christopher Lake, this moment was years in the making.
From those early days on the lake to joining Saskatchewan’s provincial team at 15 and the national squad at 17, Schwinghammer’s path was never accidental—it was carved through grit. The Holy Cross High School alum has steadily climbed the international ladder:
- First World Cup podium: Dual moguls silver in Bakuriani, Georgia (2023)
- Breakthrough season in 2024–25:
- World Championship bronze in moguls
- Third overall in the World Cup moguls standings
- First career World Cup victory, in front of Canadian fans at Val St-Côme (January 2025)
- Olympic qualification in 2026 after finishing sixth in moguls qualifying at Milano–Cortina
Her fifth-place finish today matches her career-best worlds results and confirms what many in Saskatoon have long believed: she’s one of the sport’s rising forces.
Schwinghammer exits Milano–Cortina with a top-five Olympic finish, a résumé stacked with podiums, and the confidence of an athlete whose best days still feel ahead of her. For Saskatchewan fans—and Canadian freestyle skiing—this is far from the finish line. It’s the takeoff.
