During the men's freestyle skiing qualifications, athletes emphasized the importance of qualifying over achieving high scores. American skier Hunter Hess drew a comparison to a cult film character, highlighting the light-hearted atmosphere despite the intense competition. Among the competitors, 25 started, with only 12 progressing to the finals set for 8:30 PM Estonian time on Friday, aiming for Olympic medals.

One notable absence in the finals is Finley Melville Ives from New Zealand, who fell heavily during both descents, with the second fall causing him to lose consciousness and requiring medical assistance. In contrast, Estonian athlete Henry Sildaru impressively secured third place in qualifications with a score of 88.00 points on his second run, demonstrating his potential to improve further in the finals. Sildaru expressed confidence in his ability to elevate his performance for the medal contention.

The event has generated substantial interest as fellow competitors and world-class skiers have revealed their strategies and concerns, with many noting the rescheduling of qualifying rounds which could affect overall performance. As the finals approach, the atmosphere is charged with excitement, especially for Sildaru and his competitors, who are all eyeing the Olympic podium. The stakes are high, and all eyes will be on the athletes as they prepare to give their all on the big night ahead.