Chloe Kim's Historic Three-Peat Bid Ends with Silver Medal in Olympic Halfpipe
American snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim has narrowly missed out on making Olympic history, failing to secure a third consecutive gold medal in the women's halfpipe event. The two-time defending champion was dethroned by South Korea's rising star Choi Gaon during a dramatic final on a snowy evening in the Italian Alps.
Choi Gaon's Remarkable Comeback Secures Gold Medal Victory
The 17-year-old South Korean sensation delivered a stunning performance on her final run, posting a score of 90.25 to claim the gold medal. This victory marks a significant milestone as Choi becomes the first non-American woman to win gold in snowboarding's premier event since Australia's Torah Bright in 2010.
Choi's path to victory was far from straightforward. During her first run, she suffered a hard tumble, slamming into the incline of the halfpipe and sliding to the middle of the course where she remained for several minutes. After receiving medical attention, she remarkably rode off the course unassisted.
It remained uncertain whether Choi would return for her second run, but she demonstrated incredible resilience by not only continuing but ultimately delivering the gold-medal-winning performance that stunned both Kim and the assembled crowd.
Kim's Final Run Mishap Seals Silver Medal Finish
Chloe Kim, the 25-year-old American champion who had triumphed in both Pyeongchang and Beijing, had one final opportunity to reclaim the top position. However, during her last of three runs, Kim wiped out, ultimately settling for the silver medal position.
The disappointment was palpable among Kim's supporters in the crowd, including snowboarding legend Shaun White, who visibly cringed after Kim's fall. Also present in her cheering section were Kim's boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and renowned musician Snoop Dogg.
Bronze Medal and Historical Context of the Event
Japan's Mitsuki Ono claimed the bronze medal, completing the podium in this highly competitive event. The historical significance of Kim's missed opportunity is underscored by the fact that she is not alone in failing to achieve three consecutive Winter Olympic golds at these Games.
Czech athlete Ester Ledecka fell short in Alpine snowboarding's parallel giant slalom, while Austria's Anna Gasser missed out in the big air competition. Both were defending two-time champions seeking their third consecutive victories.
American snowboarding icon Shaun White, who was present at the event, won three gold medals on the halfpipe throughout his career but never consecutively. His victories came in 2006, 2010, and 2018, with a fourth-place finish in 2014.
Choi Gaon's Rapid Rise to Olympic Glory
Choi Gaon's gold medal achievement represents a remarkable ascent in competitive snowboarding. The young athlete made history in 2023 by becoming the youngest X Games winner at just 14 years old. Now, as a first-time Olympian, she has secured one of the sport's most prestigious titles.
This victory breaks the American dominance in women's halfpipe snowboarding that has persisted since Kaitlyn Farrington's win for the United States at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, followed by Kim's consecutive triumphs in Pyeongchang and Beijing.
The women's halfpipe competition at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered for its dramatic turns, unexpected outcomes, and the emergence of a new champion in Choi Gaon, while marking the end of Chloe Kim's bid for an unprecedented three-peat in Olympic snowboarding history.
