All eyes are on Chloe Kim as she aims for an unprecedented three-peat in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Despite a recent shoulder injury that threatened her participation, Kim is ready to compete, seeking to become the first halfpipe snowboarder ever to win three Olympic gold medals.
Quick Stats
- Ice Dance: Madison Chock and Evan Bates are in second place in ice dance after the rhythm dance.
- Snowboard: Chloe Kim is competing in the Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Qualification, seeking her third consecutive gold medal.
- Rhythm Dance Score: France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron lead Chock and Bates by a mere 0.46 points after the rhythm dance.
Chloe Kim's Quest for a Historic Three-Peat
Overcoming Injury
Kim, already a two-time Olympic gold medalist, faces a significant challenge due to a dislocated shoulder sustained a month before the Games. Despite the setback, she confirmed her participation, stating the injury wasn't as severe as initially feared [3]. She'll be riding with a brace, and believes it has "in a funny way... made my riding better" [2].A Dominant Career
At just 25 years old, Kim's career is already legendary [1]. She was the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal in 2018 and the first woman to defend her title in the halfpipe in 2022 [3]. She also boasts eight X Games gold medals, tying her with Shaun White for the most halfpipe victories [1].New Tricks Up Her Sleeve
Kim is planning a run she's never done before in competition. "I think if I'm able to pull that off, regardless of where I place, I'll be really content with that," Kim said [4]. She's trusting her muscle memory and focusing on the present, ready to make history.
Ice Dance Showdown: USA vs. France
Chock and Bates Aim for Individual Gold
Madison Chock and Evan Bates, already Olympic gold medalists in the team event and three-time world champions, are seeking their first individual Olympic gold. They are currently in second place after the rhythm dance, trailing the French duo of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron by a narrow margin of 0.46 points.
The Rhythm Dance Recap
The rhythm dance competition was a nail-biter, with the top teams pushing the limits and setting new personal bests. Iconic 90s hits filled the arena, but the night belonged to the future of ice dance.
Underdog Story
Vadym Kolesnik and Emilea Zingas, making their Olympic debut, delivered a surprise performance, improving their personal best score by more than three points to secure sixth place.
By The Numbers
- 0.46: The point difference separating Chock/Bates from the leading French team after the rhythm dance.
- 8: The number of X Games gold medals Chloe Kim has won, tying her with Shaun White for the most in halfpipe.
- 17: Chloe Kim's age when she won her first Olympic gold medal in 2018, becoming the youngest woman to achieve this feat in snowboarding.
- 3: The number of points Zingas and Kolesnik boosted their personal best score by.
What To Watch Next
- Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Final: Can Chloe Kim overcome her injury and make history with a three-peat?
- Ice Dance Free Dance: Will Chock and Bates close the gap and capture their first individual Olympic gold?
- Team USA's Overall Performance: Can the US team rebound after a slow start and make a strong showing in Milan Cortina?
