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Ukraine's Kateryna Kotsar Qualifies for Olympic Big Air Final, Says Yes to On-Slope Proposal

She now turns to Monday's medal round in Livigno after advancing from qualifying.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 14, 2026. Bogdan Fashtryga proposes to Kateryna Kotsar of Ukraine after her third run of Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 14, 2026. Bogdan Fashtryga proposes to Kateryna Kotsar of Ukraine after her third run of Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 14, 2026. Kateryna Kotsar of Ukraine kisses Bogdan Fashtryga after he proposes to her. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 14, 2026. Kateryna Kotsar of Ukraine reacts after her third run of Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Overview

  • The 25-year-old advanced in 11th place, securing one of 12 spots in the women's big air final.
  • Moments later in Livigno, boyfriend Bohdan Fashtryha proposed on the slope and she accepted.
  • Kotsar had crashed on her third run minutes earlier but said she was unhurt and had already clinched advancement.
  • Her parents watched in person for the first time during her Olympic qualifier.
  • Ranked fifth this season, she trains largely in Austria and Switzerland and has spoken about competing abroad as people in Kyiv face wartime hardships.