Historic moment in women’s snowboarding
Japan’s Murase Kokomo has etched her name into the record books with the first-ever backside triple cork 1620 performed by a woman in competitive snowboarding. The maneuver, a complex sequence of flips and spins, represents a milestone in the evolution of women’s big air and signals a new era of technical ambition as athletes prepare for Milano Cortina 2026.
The breakthrough was highlighted on social media as soon as it landed, quickly drawing praise from peers, coaches, and fans who have watched women’s big air steadily push the sport toward greater difficulty and higher scores. Murase’s accomplishment builds on a year of rapid progression across the discipline, where athletes increasingly push the envelope on tricks that were once considered unattainable for female competitors.
What makes the trick groundbreaking
A backside triple cork 1620 comprises three off-axis flips with four total rotations, executed in the back direction with the rider landing switch. It demands exceptional core control, precise spindle timing, and fearless air awareness—a trifecta of skills that separates the truly elite from the rest. Landing such a trick cleanly not only earns top points but also expands the technical vocabulary available to future generations of snowboarders.
For Murase, the trick is more than a personal milestone; it showcases the rapid growth of women’s big air on the global stage. The feat aligns with a broader push toward parity in expense, exposure, and opportunity for female athletes, who have long fought for comparable stages and sponsorship support to their male counterparts.
Impact on the sport and upcoming seasons
Beijing’s 2022 big air bronze medalist has demonstrated that the field is entering a new phase where athletes are less constrained by “what’s possible” and more driven by “what’s next.” The backside triple cork 1620 is not merely a flashy trick; it signals a mental shift toward risk-taking and technical depth in the women’s circuit. As competitions build toward Milano Cortina 2026, coaches and federations will be keen to see how many riders attempt similar lines and how judges calibrate the scoring of this benchmark trick.
With global audiences increasingly engaging through streaming platforms and social networks, such breakthroughs also amplify the sport’s visibility and attractiveness to sponsors. Murase’s achievement could inspire a new wave of young riders in Japan and around the world, who now have a tangible example of what elite female snowboarding looks like when preparation meets audacity.
What comes next for Murase and the scene
While one trick does not define a season, it sets a compelling narrative for Murase’s path toward Milano Cortina 2026. Expect a series of high-stakes runs, as she and others chase higher degrees of difficulty, cleaner landings, and more consistent execution under pressure. Federations might respond with targeted development programs, funding for specialized coaching, and expanded media exposure to ensure the sport continues to progress with safety and fairness at the core.
Fans should anticipate more demonstrations of ingenuity in big air, as athletes explore the balance between risk and reward. Murase Kokomo’s groundbreaking backside triple cork 1620 could become a landmark trick that future competitors reference when shaping their own competitive stories.
Bottom line
Murase Kokomo’s historic backside triple cork 1620 marks a watershed moment for women’s snowboarding. It underscores how fast the sport is advancing and how Milano Cortina 2026 could witness even more record-breaking performances from some of the world’s most talented riders.
