Muir has 'more to give' after Olympic near misses

Scotland's Kirsty MuirImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Kirsty Muir was fourth in the big air and slopestyle at the recent Winter Olympics

ByTyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
  • Published

The frustration of two fourth-placed finishes at the Winter Olympics can be a "big motivation" for Kirsty Muir, with the Scottish freestyle skier insisting she has "a lot more to give".

The 21-year-old just missed out on the podium in the big air and slopestyle events at Milan-Cortina last month.

Having had time to reflect, she told BBC Scotland: "I was super close but I am not mad at myself, that is how the competition goes sometimes.

"Obviously, I was aiming for the podium, that was the goal, but in every competition you don't know what is going to happen so I have always got goals separate to the result, so no matter what happens I can be proud of myself and what I have achieved."

And she added: "There was so much support from home and I got to show my sport to so many more people, which I was really stoked on.

"I have lots of people coming back to me saying how their kids are inspired and that really does mean a lot."

Muir missed out on slopestyle bronze by just 0.41 points at the Livigno Snow Park, with 3.5 points the margin in the big air.

With two Winter Olympics under her belt, the Aberdonian is already eyeing the next one, admitting her experience in Italy can give her an added spur.

"It is a big motivation," she said. "Not just for looking forward to the Olympics but looking at all my skiing. I am really excited to go and try and learn some new tricks, I am excited to see where I can push myself and where I can push the sport.

"For the next two years I will go and do everything that I would like to do and forget about the Olympics and then when it comes round to qualification again I will get back stuck in."

Media caption,

Muir narrowly misses out on medal in slopestyle

Despite her Milan-Cortina disappointment, it has been a stunning season for Muir, who won slopestyle gold at the X Games in Aspen at the turn of the year. She also won two World Cup gold medals.

And her campaign is far from over with three World Cup events coming up later this month.

"I have been so proud because this has been my best season ever so I am trying to really take all those moments from the whole winter and keep them with me," she explained.

"I know the Olympics is the biggest stage but it is another one competition.

"In my skiing I have got a lot more to give, the results are a by-product of pushing myself so I am excited to go and push myself more."