Elias Lajunen was knocked out cold after a crash on Sunday during the men’s big air skiing qualifiers in Milan-Cortina. (Photo by IOC via Getty Images)
IOC via Getty Images
Finnish skier Elias Lajunen was knocked out cold after a crash on Sunday during the men’s big air skiing qualifiers in Milan-Cortina. Lajunen, 18, lay motionless after slamming his head, then was stretchered off.
After being attended to, Lajunen regained consciousness and gave the crowd a thumbs-up as medical staff tended to him. According to the Finnish Olympic Committee, all of Lajunen's limbs were functioning.
He attempted a multi-rotation aerial that went wrong on the final revolution. Big air rewards height, difficulty, and clean execution, with a small margin for error.
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finlan competes in the Men's Freeski Big Air qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ian MacNicol via Getty Images
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finland falls as he competes in run one of the Men's Freeski Big Air Qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finland falls as he competes in run one of the Men's Freeski Big Air Qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
Lajunen recently turned pro and was participating in his first Olympic Games. At the 2025 World Championships, he finished 31st in the men's freeski slopestyle competition and 32nd in big air. His father, Samppa Lajunen, is a celebrated Finnish combined skier and a three-time Olympic champion in Nordic combined.
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