Balance and control are important in any sport, but they're especially crucial at the highest levels, such as at the2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
In the Winter Games, athletes often must be able to display the same skills while going forward and backward. In figure skating, ice hockey and snowboarding, for example.
But there have been times during these Olympics when athletes have gone out of control and turned completely around when theyweren'tsupposed to. And the moments have been magical.
In men's dual moguls on Sunday, Feb. 15, Japanese freestyle skier Ikuma Horishima nearly lost it on the final jump, but somehow remained upright to cross the finish line ... backwards.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES." 😳Dual moguls madness as Nick Page skis out of the course for a DNF while his opponent, Ikuma Horishima, barely stays in control and skis over the line BACKWARDS for the win.pic.twitter.com/hFqqi5gnQE
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics)February 15, 2026
Horishima went on to claim the silver medal in dual moguls.
And in short track speed skating, Italy's Pietro Sighel − who had a big enough lead in an earlier heat that he turned around and crossed the finish line backward − had to do it again out of necessity in his 500 meter heat Monday when he was bumped as two skaters collided.
Sighel nearly won the race, but made it across the finish line to advance.
Pietro sighel diventa temporaneamente pattinatore di figurapic.twitter.com/XwVy5GzWYu
— Emily🦇👽🖖 (@tardisemily)February 16, 2026
Unexpected surprises like these definitely have us looking forward to more as the Winter Games conclude.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ikuma Horishima, Pietro Sighel cross Olympic finish line backwards
