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Kirsty Muir battles nerves but keeps ski slopestyle medal hopes on track

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Kirsty Muir might be excited about qualifying for an Olympics final, but it’s the mention of trading pin badges that really lights up the skier’s face.

The 21-year-old from Aberdeen cruised into the women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle final with a third-place finish in qualifying at Milano Cortina 2026.

Fighting off the Olympic nerves, Muir’s first run score of 63.18 was quickly backed up by a slight improvement of 64.98 on her second to cement her spot in Monday’s medal showdown.

And if her recent X Games victory, with a mammoth score of 93.66 is anything to go by, not holding back in the final might just mean a medal is on its way to the Scottish skier.

“I think this morning I was quite good. I was focused, I was able to calm myself down a little bit, but my heart was maybe racing a little bit more than usual,” she said.

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“After I put my first run down, then I felt a bit of relief and could just be a bit smoother in myself.

“It’s about knowing that I can do it when I’m feeling a little bit nervous, when I’m feeling a little bit of pressure – knowing that I can trust myself and put it down.

“I’m just going to give it everything [in the final]. I’m not going to hold back, and I think that if I do that and I put a run down that I’d like to do, then I’ll be just super proud of myself.”

Kirsty Muir comfortably qualified for Monday’s ski slopestyle final

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Kirsty Muir comfortably qualified for Monday’s ski slopestyle final (Getty Images)
The slopestyle course at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The slopestyle course at the 2026 Winter Olympics (PA Graphics)

While Muir is relaxed and gives straightforward answers about her performance, the Scot can only beam when it comes to the Olympic niche that is pin trading.

A phenomenon among athletes and staff alike during every Games, Muir is on a mission to procure the best pin badge collection she possibly can – even documenting her journey with daily updates on TikTok. And if you missed the update from the Opening Ceremony, never fear, as she confirms it’s on its way.

“I’ve got a little bit of an animal collection going,” she said. “I’ve got a kiwi, a moose and a llama from different countries and I’m really liking them. I’ve got the clogs from the Netherlands – they’re like the popular ones. I mean, last night at the Opening Ceremony was the best thing for pin trading; everyone was going at it.

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“I didn’t update my peeps last night, but I’ve got some good ones to add to my haul tonight. I think it’s such a cool, different aspect of the Olympics and I love how sociable it can be.

“When would I ever have the courage to go up to another country and just randomly start talking to them? So at least it’s nice to have a purpose to go and speak to more people.”

Muir slightly improved on her second run in qualifying

Muir slightly improved on her second run in qualifying (AP)

Muir’s fiercest competition in the women’s slopestyle final will come in the form of world No 1 Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland and face of the sport Eileen Gu of China.

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It was a nervy start for the high-flying Gu, who was caught out on a tricky top rail to score a meagre 1.26 points on her first run.

But it’s not that easy to count out the two-time Olympic champion, as she roared back with a second run of 75.30 to qualify in second.

Gremaud sits top with a monster score of 79.15, meaning Muir will have some work to do if she is to challenge for gold on Monday.

:: TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the UK to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.

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Adam Gemili: Former European champion sprinter retires

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Former European champion Adam Gemili has retired from athletics at the age of 32.

Gemili was a youth footballer at Chelsea and on the books at then League Two Dagenham & Redbridge before committing to sprinting, and made the Team GB squad for the Olympics in his home city at London 2012.

He reached the semi-finals of the 100m in London and went on to win relay medals at three World Championships.

He was the 2014 European Champion over 200m and took silver in the 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow that summer.

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Posting on his Instagram page, he said:, external “It’s hard to put into words what an incredible journey it’s been.

“Thank you for all the support, love, and belief you’ve shown me throughout my career.

“From a baby-faced Adam at London 2012 to a slightly more grey-haired version in 2025. I hope I’ve made you proud.”

Gemili narrowly missed out on more medals, finishing fourth in the 200m at the Rio 2016 Olympics, just 0.003 seconds shy of bronze, before another fourth place at the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships.

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Alongside Zharnel Hughes and Linford Christie, he is one of just three British male sprinters to have run under 10 seconds in the 100m and 20 seconds in the 200m, with personal bests of 9.97 seconds and 19.97 seconds respectively.

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49ers GM sacks electrical substation theory

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch did his best to shut down the buzz around the theory that an electrical substation near Levi’s Stadium could be the catalyst for the spate of injuries the team has suffered over the last few years.

The theory popped up on social media during the 2025 season, though the 49ers have played at Levi’s Stadium since 2014 and used the practice facility that is also near the substation since 1989.

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John Lynch at the NFL Scouting Combine

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Niners star George Kittle said in February he didn’t believe the rumors were true, but also wanted a definitive answer.

Lynch provided one Sunday as NFL owners began to meet in Phoenix, Arizona. He said the organization had a scientist come to the facility to see if there was anything awry.

“It basically was a big nothing burger,” Lynch told reporters, via ESPN. “We’re in a safe place of work…. It’s a normal place of work. It’s a normal gym. We are safe, we’re healthy, and we feel really good about that.

George Kittle carted off the field

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is carted off the field after an injury during the NFC wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 11, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

CAM NEWTON VIEWS ADDING 18TH REGULAR-SEASON GAME AS ‘GOOD BUSINESS,’ QUESTIONS HOW PRESEASON GAMES WILL WORK

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“That was important to us, not just to turn a blind eye, but to look into it because it’s our players’ wellness. It’s not only our players’ wellness, it’s coaches, it’s staff, all that. And it’s encouraging.”

According to the 49ers, the scientist learned that players and staff were being exposed to an electromagnetic environment similar to that of a gym or average workplace.

Still, the injury bug is something the 49ers have to figure out as the seasons go on.

John Lynch at Georgia's pro day

John Lynch watches players work out during NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Francisco was 12-5 in 2025, but players like Kittle, Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Mykel Williams each missed several games with injuries.

For now, it appears the substation theory has been shut down.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Women’s singles predictions ft. Donna Vekic vs Ajla Tomljanovic, Alycia Parks vs Mary Stoiana

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The 2026 Charleston Open is set to get underway today as the main draw action begins at the LTP-Daniel Island Tennis Center. While notable names like Emma Navarro, Amanda Anisimova, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Maya Joint have withdrawn, the tournament still features a strong lineup.

Day 1 will be headlined by players such as Donna Vekic, Eva Lys, Sloane Stephens, McCartney Kessler and Jennifer Brady. They will be joined by the likes of Alycia Parks, Ajla Tomljanovic, Katie Volynets, Yulia Putintseva and Dayana Yastremska, among others.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the predictions for some of the key matches scheduled on Day 1 of the 2026 Charleston Open.


Charleston Open 2026 Day 1 singles predictions

Donna Vekic vs Ajla Tomljanovic

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Vekic pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: GettyVekic pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: Getty
Vekic pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: Getty

Donna Vekic booked her spot in the main draw of the Charleston Open with commanding wins over Sachia Vickery (6-2, 6-2) and Ekaterine Gorgodze (6-2, 6-3) in the qualifying rounds. Meanwhile, Ajla Tomljanovic received direct entry into the main draw and arrived following a second-round exit at the Miami Open.

Vekic and Tomljanovic have faced each other twice before, with the Croatian winning both encounters in Wuhan (2014) and Istanbul (2018), giving her a 2-0 head-to-head advantage.

Predicted winner: Vekic in three sets.


Alycia Parks vs Mary Stoiana

Parks pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: GettyParks pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: Getty
Parks pictured at the 2026 Miami Open | Image Source: Getty

Alycia Parks enters the matchup on the back of a third-round loss to Coco Gauff in Miami. Her opponent, Mary Stoiana, had to come through qualifying, beating Kristina Mladenovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Darja Vidmanova 6-2, 7-6(2) to set up a first-ever clash with Parks.

Parks brings power and a big serve, looking to take control quickly, while Stoiana relies more on consistency and rally tolerance. If Parks finds her range, she can dominate, but Stoiana could benefit if the match becomes more extended.

Predicted winner: Alycia Parks in straight sets.

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McCartney Kessler vs Elvina Kalieve

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

Predicted winner: McCartney Kessler in straight sets.


Eva Lys vs Katie Volynets

Lys and Volynets have met once before, in the qualifying rounds of Lausanne in 2022, with the German coming out on top.

Predicted winner: Volynets in straight sets.

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Yulia Putintseva vs Lulu Sun

They have never met before.

Predicted winner: Yulia Putintseva in straight sets.


Dayana Yastremska vs Anastasia Zakharova

Yastremska holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Zakharova going into their first-round encounter at the Charleston Open.

Predicted winner: Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.

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Sloane Stephens vs Renata Zarazua

Zarazua has defeated Stephens in both of their previous meetings, in Acapulco in 2020 and Auckland earlier this year.

Predicted winner: Renata Zarazua in straight sets.


Jennifer Brady vs Viktoriya Tomova

Tomova holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Brady going into their first-round encounter at the Charleston Open.

Predicted winner: Jennifer Brady in three sets.

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Akasha Urhobo vs Solana Sierra

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

Predicted winner: Akasha Urhobo in straight sets.


Anna Bondar vs Darja Vidmanova

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0 in Bondar’s favor.

Predicted winner: Anna Bondar in straight sets.

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