Lynch produced ‘the performance of his life’, to become the first Irish skier to qualify for a Winter Olympics final, before going on to finish eighth, and 23-year-old told the Irish Independent that the moment is yet to sink in. “It’s an amazing moment for me and everyone, I think it’s pretty cool to see all the hard work paid off. The courage paid off resulting in a personal best score of 75.75, qualifying him for the final in 11th place. Ireland's Ben Lynch reacts during the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy. Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson“It’s a double flip in the half-pipe, but the unnatural direction, so not the comfortable way of spinning,” Lynch explained.

Source: Irish Independent February 25, 2026 10:10 UTC