(Video) Canadian Mogul Skier Maia Schwinghammer’s Dad Wells Up with Pride Speaking Of His Daughter

Maia Schwinghammer competes in the freestyle mogul skiing as well as the newly introduced freestyle skiing event, dual moguls.

(Video) Canadian Mogul Skier Maia Schwinghammer’s Dad Wells Up with Pride Speaking Of His Daughter

Maia Schwinghammer, Rick Schwinghammer in circle (Image via The Canadian Press, Screengrab via @cbcolympics on Instagram)

In Short
  • Rick Schwinghammer expressed overwhelming pride and emotion as his daughter Maia prepares for her first Olympic competition in freestyle skiing.
  • Maia Schwinghammer, a 24-year-old from Saskatoon, is a medal hopeful after her success in the FIS World Cup and World Championships.
  • The viral moment of Rick Schwinghammer crying during an interview has resonated with audiences, highlighting the emotional connection between athletes and their families.

As his daughter prepares for her maiden Olympics, the world as her stage, Rick Schwinghammer couldn’t hold his tears when CBC’s Ariel Helwani stopped him for an interview. The 24-year-old Maia Schwinghammer from Saskatoon takes the slopes tomorrow for the first time in freestyle skiing – women’s moguls. She will later feature in the dual moguls as well.

Schwinghammer’s eyes welled up as soon as Helwani called Maia a legend. He could barely hold it in as the reporter asked him how he feels as his daughter’s ready to perform at the biggest stage in her sporting career.

It’s hard to say. Gets you all emotional. But it’s so fun to be here. It’s awesome. We decided that she’s done well. She’s already at the top and made it here. It’s just great—She works really hard, she’s healthy and strong, and has a goal. I guess her mom taught her good things.

Unsurprisingly, the wholesome interaction gained instant virality online as one of the most heartwarming moments of the Winter Olympics 2026.

Maia Schwinghammer broke into the limelight following her third-place finish in moguls in the 2024-2025 FIS World Cup, which included three podium finishes. She also placed bronze in World Championships in St. Moritz in women’s moguls. She’s one of the medal hopefuls for Canada in freestyle skiing.

The 24-year-old has since spoken with TSN about the former ski ballet legend’s newfound viral moment at the Milan Cortina Games.

They interviewed him, and he just started crying. He’s an internet sensation. Everyone’s in love with him; he’s so cute.

She said that the moment will be pretty special for her parents, whom she credited for her success so far in the sport. Maia, in addition to her dad, her mom, siblings, and friends, have flown in to watch her compete.

Mogul Skiing, Maia Schwinghammer’s sport explained

Freestyle skiing – moguls have been a part of the Olympics for men and women since the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. The dual moguls will be a new addition to the freestyle skiing event list, starting from this edition.

Jakara Anthony of Australia is the reigning champion in women’s moguls (Image via Milano Cortina 2026)
Jakara Anthony of Australia is the reigning champion in women’s moguls (Image via Milano Cortina 2026)

Mogul skiing features skiers competing against each other on timed runs through a course filled with moguls, which are a series of bumps made on the marked trail when the athletes push snow into mounds as they take sharp turns on the course. In dual moguls, instead of timings, parallel competition determines the winner.

There will be two skiers on a course at the same time, with the winner advancing to the next round while the other gets eliminated. The winners in moguls and dual moguls are based on scoring: turns account for 60% of the score, while aerial jumps and speed account for 20% each.

While turns and jumps are judged using specific criteria, skiers who reach the required speed are awarded full points.

Moguls and Dual moguls at the Winter Olympics 2026

Moguls will feature 30 athletes each in the men’s and women’s events. All athletes begin with a qualification round. The top 10 move directly to the finals, while the remaining 20 compete in a second qualification round. From there, another 10 advance, and 10 are eliminated.

The finals include two elimination rounds followed by a medal round. Eight athletes are eliminated in the first round and six in the second, leaving the final six to compete for medals and final placements. Things are much easier with respect to dual moguls. A geometric progression takes place from 32 players to a final result. The losers of the semifinals play an additional game for the bronze medal.

Here’s the schedule for moguls and dual moguls at the Winter Olympics

Day Event
February 10 Men’s moguls – Qualification 1
February 10 Women’s moguls – Qualification 1
February 11Women’s moguls – Qualification 2 and Final
February 12Men’s moguls – Qualification 2 and Final
February 14Women’s dual moguls
February 15Men’s dual moguls

The mogul skiing, both events, will take place in the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park in Valtellina.

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