NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Team USA kicked off one of the final days of the Winter Olympics on Saturday with a gold medal.
The group of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran and Christopher Lillis captured the gold medal in freestyle skiing mixed team aerials. The trio combined to score 325.35, which was more than good enough to defeat Switzerland, China and Australia.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
USA’s Connor Curran (5-2) hugs USA’s Kaila Kuhn (5-1) as Switzerland’s Pirmin Werner (3-2) reacts during the freestyle skiing mixed team aerials final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Lillis completed the back double full-full-full for a score of 117.19. Curran hit the back full-double full-full for a score of 113.72. Kuhn picked up a 94.44.
It is the second consecutive gold medal in the tournament for Team USA. The event has only been around since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Last time it was Lillis, Ashley Caldwell and Justin Schoenefeld who put together a score of 338.34. The Americans defeated China, Canada, Switzerland and the Russian Olympic Committee at the time.
CORINNE STODDARD BREAKS USA’S OLYMPIC SHORT-TRACK MEDAL DRUG FOR WOMEN WITH BRONZE WIN AT WINTER GAMES
USA’s Christopher Lillis (5-3) celebrates during the freestyle skiing mixed team aerials final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
These are the first Olympic medals for Curran and Kuhn.
It was Curran’s first Olympics, competing on the junior world circuit before earning a spot on Team USA. At 21, he is the youngest aerialist in the Olympics.
Kuhn was selected to compete at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in the women’s aerials, but finished eighth. She returned to win a gold medal at the 2025 Freestyle Ski World Championships in the women’s aerials and the mixed team.
From left, USA gold medalists Christopher Lillis, Connor Curran and Kaila Kuhn celebrate after the freestyle skiing mixed team aerials final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Another gold medal around Team USA’s neck meant they were 11 for the Games with 30 overall.
