Chloe Kim dominates Halfpipe qualifiers in Milano Cortina, moves closer to historic third Olympic gold

The American snowboard star Chloe Kim has easily qualified for the women’s halfpipe final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Wednesday, February 11. The 25-year-old had a confident opening run in Livigno and scored 90.25, as she comfortably led the field. She looked relaxed and smiled widely after landing her tricks on the bright Alpine slope. Her performance placed her firmly on the course to chase a third straight Olympic title, something no snowboarder has ever achieved in Olympic history.Kim entered the event with fitness concerns after suffering a shoulder injury about a month ago. The injury kept her off the board for nearly two weeks before the Games. However, she showed no visible discomfort and competed while wearing a supportive brace. Japan’s Sara Shimizu finished second in qualifying with 87.50 points. Several other top riders, including medal contenders from Spain, Japan, China, and the United States, also secured places in the final.Chloe Kim’s first run set the tone for the competition. She gained speed quickly and executed high, clean aerial tricks above the 22-foot-tall U-shaped ramp. Judges rewarded her with the highest score of the session. On her second run, she attempted more difficult combinations and slightly lost balance on two landings. Still, only the best run counted, so her earlier score kept her far ahead.The halfpipe discipline requires riders to move from wall to wall while launching high into the air to complete spins and flips. Kim previously won Olympic gold in PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Even men’s legend Shaun White never achieved three consecutive Olympic titles, which highlights the significance of Kim’s opportunity.Spain’s Queralt Castellet Ibanez, the 2022 silver medallist, advanced to the final. Japan’s Sena Tomita, the reigning bronze medallist, also qualified. American riders Bea Kim and Maddie Mastro progressed as well.Chinese veteran Liu Jiayu, a silver medallist in 2018 and competing in her fifth Olympics, crashed during her second run. Medical staff carried her off the course on a stretcher.Kim said earlier in the week her shoulder felt strong enough to compete, and Wednesday’s performance confirmed her readiness. She now enters the final as the clear favorite to make Olympic history.