Zoe Atkin Claims Bronze to Equal Great Britain's Winter Olympics Record
Great Britain's Zoe Atkin has won a bronze medal in the women's ski halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy. This achievement marks Team GB's fifth medal of the Games, matching their previous best haul from both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics.
Atkin's Journey to the Podium
The 23-year-old skier, who was born in the United States but qualifies for Great Britain through her English father, entered the competition with high expectations. Atkin had previously won the world halfpipe title in Engadin, Switzerland in 2025 and secured superpipe gold at last month's X Games in Aspen.
In Sunday's final, which was postponed from Saturday due to heavy snow, Atkin started strongly. She qualified in first place and led after the initial run, where the single best score from three attempts determines the standings. Atkin posted a leading score of 90.50 on her first run, showcasing impressive height and control.
Competitive Final Runs
However, the competition intensified in the second run. Chinese athletes Eileen Gu, the defending champion, and Li Fanghui landed big scores to move ahead of Atkin, who fell towards the bottom of the course during her second attempt. Despite losing a ski, Atkin appeared unhurt.
In the third and final run, Gu soared to gold with a stunning score of 94.75, while Li improved to 93.0. Atkin responded with her best performance of the day, scoring 92.5, but it was only enough for third place, securing the bronze medal.
Historical Significance and Family Ties
Atkin's bronze means she now matches the achievement of her sister, Izzy Atkin, who won ski slopestyle bronze in 2018. The younger Atkin had frequently joked about her desire to surpass her sister's result, but ultimately had to settle for an equal accomplishment.
While Team GB's five medals match their previous best totals from 2014 and 2018, the 2026 Games feature three gold medals, making it officially their most successful Winter Olympics performance to date.
Notable Competition Details
The competition took place under bright sunshine on Sunday morning after the postponement. Eileen Gu, who had already earned two silver medals in Livigno, overcame a shaky first run to defend her halfpipe title. Gu has been a prominent figure at these Games, competing in all three disciplines and expressing frustration with organizers about training accommodations.
Canada's Amy Fraser also featured in the competition, briefly taking the lead with a score of 85.00 before the top qualifiers asserted their dominance.
Atkin's performance confirms her status as a serious medal prospect and contributes to a historic Winter Olympics for Great Britain, demonstrating the country's growing strength in winter sports.
