Zoe Atkin Secures Bronze to Equal Great Britain's Winter Olympics Record
Zoe Atkin has won a bronze medal in the women's ski halfpipe at the Winter Olympics in Livigno, propelling Great Britain to match their historic best medal tally. The 23-year-old athlete delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, contributing to Team GB's fifth medal of the Games, equalling the achievements from both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics.
A Strong Start and Dramatic Final
Atkin entered the final with high expectations after qualifying in first place, topping the standings with an impressive first run score of 91.50. She continued her momentum by leading after the initial run of the final, where the single best score from three attempts determines the standings. However, the competition intensified as Chinese athletes Eileen Gu and Li Fanghui surged ahead.
Defending champion Eileen Gu overcame a shaky first run to clinch gold with a stunning final score of 94.75, while Li Fanghui secured silver with 93.0. Atkin faced a setback when she crashed on her second run, losing a ski but remaining unhurt. Despite improving to 92.5 on her third and final attempt, she had to settle for the bronze medal position.
Historic Context and Personal Milestones
This bronze medal holds special significance for Atkin, as it matches the achievement of her sister, Izzy Atkin, who won ski slopestyle bronze in 2018. Born in the United States but qualifying to represent Great Britain through her English father, Zoe Atkin arrived at the Games amid considerable anticipation. Her recent victories, including the world halfpipe title in Engadin, Switzerland in 2025 and superpipe gold at last month's X Games in Aspen, had positioned her as a serious medal contender.
The competition itself faced challenges, having been postponed from Saturday evening due to heavy snow over the Livigno course. Bright sunshine greeted the athletes on Sunday morning, setting the stage for a thrilling event. Atkin's performance not only adds to her personal accolades but also cements Team GB's status, with three gold medals making this officially their most successful Winter Olympics to date.
Rival Performances and Competitive Dynamics
Eileen Gu's victory was particularly notable, as she defended her halfpipe crown despite distractions during her time in Italy. Gu, who competed in all three disciplines, brought 21 different pairs of skis and expressed frustrations over training accommodations. Meanwhile, Canada's Amy Fraser briefly led with a score of 85.00 before Atkin's first run score of 90.50 took the top spot early in the final.
The second run saw a dramatic shift as both Gu and Li landed big scores to overtake Atkin, who fell towards the bottom of the course. In the third run, Gu and Li extended their advantages with impressive performances, leaving Atkin to stage a final effort that secured her bronze. This result underscores the intense competition and high stakes at the Winter Olympics, highlighting Atkin's resilience and skill under pressure.
