Choi Gaon Takes Gold at the Women’s Olympic Halfpipe Finals 2026
Choi Gaon comes back from a heavy crash to stun Chloe Kim
Scotty James (AUS) might have a documentary titled “Pipe Dream” but that dream of winning Snowboard Halfpipe Olympic gold could become reality today.
The Beijing 2022 silver medalist and Pyeongchang 2018 bronze medalist topped a strong qualification field on Wednesday with 94.00 points from his opening run, inching him closer to completing his Olympic set.
His first run included a switch backside double cork 1440 Japan, a move that he performed in competition for the first time last month on his way to winning the Laax Open World Cup. But the five-time Olympian knows that it will take something very special under the lights on Friday to claim the title.
From a competitive standpoint, halfpipe riding in the Olympics is the most competitive it’s ever been. I think the top six can all win, and I don’t think that’s been the case before. It’s usually been one or two people that have the chance to win, so I think this time around it’s going to be an amazing battle.– Scotty James (AUS)
James’ strongest challengers are likely to come from Japan, with Aspen 2021 World Champion Yuto Totsuka qualifying just behind James with a score of 91.25, Ryusei Yamada one point back of Tostuka on 90.25, Ruka Hirano in fifth on 87.50 points, and defending Olympic gold medallist Ayumu Hirano (JPN) seventh with 85.50 points.
Valentino Guseli (AUS), sixth in qualifications with 86.75 points, suggested that the level is going to increase come finals start time at 19:30 CET on Friday.
That qualies was like a final. So the finals are just going to be insane. It’s going to be the biggest show ever.– Valentino Guseli (AUS)
The Livigno Snow Park stage will first be set for Women’s Snowboard Cross, where there will not be a back-to-back champion.
No one has retained Olympic gold in this event and that trend will continue as defending champion Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) is taking a break from the sport. Meryeta O’Dine (CAN), third at the last Olympics, is out with a fracture to an ankle bone, leaving Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) as the only Beijing 2022 medalist at these Games.
But there is proven podium pedigree in Sochi 2014 gold medalist Eva Samkova (CZE) and home favorite Michela Moioli (ITA), who won Italy’s first Olympic gold in snowboarding at Pyeongchang 2018.
Julia Nirani-Pereira (FRA), the 2018 silver medalist, will also bring her experience to the course.
Her compatriot Lea Casta (FRA), the reigning Crystal Globe winner, will look to make the senior podium after winning gold at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Current Crystal Globe leader Charlotte Bankes (GBR) and Josie Baff (AUT), with two podiums in three World Cup races this season, enter the competition in fine form.
Seeding runs for the 32-strong field begins at 10:00 CET. The 1/8 finals start at 13:30, with the finals getting underway from 14:41.
Choi Gaon comes back from a heavy crash to stun Chloe Kim
The two-time reigning snowboard halfpipe Olympic champion, Chloe Kim, qualified with an
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