Chloe Kim Leads in Halfpipe Qualifiers at Milan Cortina Winter Games

In LIVIGNO, Italy, American snowboarder Chloe Kim showcased her remarkable skills in the halfpipe qualifiers at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Wednesday. Displaying high-altitude maneuvers, she confidently led the field, inching closer to securing her third consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Kim, celebrated as one of the greatest snowboarders of all time, was all smiles upon completing a stunning first run down the sunlit slopes of Livigno. The 25-year-old athlete seemed unaffected by a previous shoulder injury, which she sustained just a month prior. Her performance earned her a commanding lead, with a remarkable score of 90.25 points. Following in second place, Japan’s Sara Shimizu secured a score of 87.50.

During her second run, Kim attempted even more ambitious tricks, experiencing a few wobbles on landings. However, her dominating lead from the initial run made these minor missteps inconsequential, as only the best score of two runs was considered.

The halfpipe is a challenging event, featuring a 22-foot-tall, U-shaped ramp where riders execute aerial acrobatics. Chloe Kim previously clinched gold in PyeongChang in 2018 and again in Beijing in 2022. Not even legendary snowboarder Shaun White has managed to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals, a feat Kim is hoping to achieve.

Despite being the strong favorite for the event, Kim had a setback while training in Switzerland, forcing her to take a two-week break from boarding before the Games. She assured on Monday that her shoulder was in good condition with the help of a brace, allowing her to compete.

Joining Kim in the finals are Spain’s Queralt Castellet Ibanez, the 2022 silver medalist, and Japan’s reigning bronze medalist, Sena Tomita. Unfortunately, Chinese rider Liu Jiayu, a silver medalist from the 2018 Games and now competing in her fifth Olympics, experienced a fall during her second run and had to be stretchered off by medical personnel.

American snowboarders Bea Kim and Maddie Mastro also successfully advanced to the finals, adding further competition to the highly anticipated event.