Cincinnati Native Connor Curran Falls Short in Olympic Aerials Final

Curran executed a back double full-full-full jump but missed the medal round.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Cincinnati native Connor Curran, 21, competed in his first-ever Olympics in the men's aerials event, but fell short of the medal round with his two jumps in the final. Curran executed a back double full-full-full jump both times, earning scores of 88.69 and 86.73, but the six athletes with the best scores of their two jumps advanced to the second final and medal round.

Why it matters

Curran's Olympic debut showcases the growing talent and participation in freestyle skiing events like aerials, which require highly technical aerial maneuvers. While he didn't medal, his performance highlights the dedication and skill of young athletes from the Cincinnati area competing on the world stage.

The details

Curran, who attended Sharonville Elementary School and Princeton City Middle School before moving to New York, placed fifth in the first Olympic men's aerials qualifying earlier in the day with a score of 117.26. In the final, he was unable to earn a top-six score to advance to the medal round.

  • Curran competed in the Olympic men's aerials final on February 20, 2026.
  • Earlier that day, Curran placed fifth in the first Olympic men's aerials qualifying.

The players

Connor Curran

A 21-year-old Cincinnati native who made his Olympic debut in the men's aerials event.

Nick Goepper

A native of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, who qualified for the men's freeski halfpipe final.

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The takeaway

Curran's performance, while falling short of the medal round, showcases the growing talent and participation in freestyle skiing events like aerials from the Cincinnati area. His Olympic debut highlights the dedication and skill of young athletes competing on the world stage, even if they don't ultimately medal.