Shutterstock
Japan’s Kira Kimura landed a massive switch backside 1980 on his final run Saturday to win gold in Snowboarding Big Air at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The trick’s difficulty was undeniable.
NBC announcer Todd Richards wasn’t exactly blown away, though.
Kimura edged out countryman Kimata Ryoma — the reigning world champion — along with defending Olympic champion Su Yiming, who both joined him on the podium. Seventeen-year-old American Oliver Martin finished fourth, just off the medals.
Hot Mic Catches Announcer’s Unfiltered Take
The event streamed live on NBC’s Peacock app. After the final standings appeared on screen, everything went black.
But someone forgot to cut Richards’ microphone.
“That was boring,” he said. “That was so boring. The qualifier was way more exciting.”
He’s got a point, honestly — many finalists threw slightly different variants of the same tricks. That makes it tough for viewers at home to understand what separates a great run from an average one. The qualifiers had featured more variety and risk-taking.
Richards didn’t waste time addressing the moment. He posted to Instagram shortly after.
This marks Richards’ sixth Winter Olympics behind the microphone. He’s a former professional snowboarder himself with four X Games medals, including halfpipe gold. So he knows the sport inside and out.
Still an awkward moment, though.
The finals showcased the progression of Big Air — riders are now landing tricks that would’ve seemed impossible a decade ago. But when everyone’s throwing 1980s and triple corks, the progression the sport becomes harder to follow for casual fans tuning in every four years.
