Chloe Kim Leads Halfpipe Qualifying, Eyes Historic Third Olympic Snowboard Gold

American snowboarder Chloe Kim advanced to the women’s halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Competing at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Kim led the qualifying round with a score of 90.25.

Kim’s performance topped the leaderboard, placing her ahead of Japan’s Sara Shimizu, who scored 87.50. Fellow American snowboarders Bea Kim and Maddie Mastro also qualified for the final.

The 25-year-old returned ahead of the finals despite recently suffering a shoulder injury. Kim said her shoulder remains taped and braced, and she plans surgery after the competition.

Kim’s strong first run featured high-altitude tricks and clean execution. Her second run, with even more challenging elements, did not improve her score but secured her top spot.

If Kim wins gold in the upcoming final, she would become the first snowboarder to win three Olympic halfpipe titles in a row. She previously claimed gold in the 2018 and 2022 Games.

The halfpipe qualifying also saw some athletes fall or withdraw due to injury. China’s Liu Jiayu was taken off on a stretcher following a run that forced her out of contention.

Japanese and other international competitors filled out the final field. Spain’s Queralt Castellet and Japan’s Sena Tomita, both previous Olympic medalists, advanced. The final will test riders’ trick difficulty and amplitude under pressure.

Kim’s qualification came with fans and fellow athletes noting her resilience. She delivered her performance after a month away from full training due to the injury. This comeback adds intrigue to her Olympic campaign and strategy for finals.

Olympic halfpipe snowboarding remains one of the marquee events of the Games, drawing attention worldwide. With the final scheduled soon, Kim’s bid for history is now within reach.