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American snowboard star Chloe Kim arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympics suffering from a brutal shoulder injury, but that hasn’t deterred her in the slightest.
Kim finished at the top of the standings in the qualifying round for the women’s snowboard halfpipe event and is in clear contention for a third consecutive gold medal. If she accomplishes the feat, Kim would become the first Olympic snowboarder to win three consecutive halfpipe gold medals.
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Chloe Kim of the United States practices before the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The California native earned a score of 90.25 on her first run and was good enough to stay in first place despite not improving her score on her second run. Her American teammate Maddie Mastro finished in third place with a score of 86.00.
“I feel good. Happy to be here,” he told Olympics.com. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I think the Olympics are very special because we have a lot of support globally.”
Kim is competing in the Milan Cortina Games with an orthopedic shoulder pad as she deals with the injury that prevented her from properly preparing for the Olympics.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, left, and Chloe Kim of the United States smile after the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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He only returned to the halfpipe two weeks ago, marking his first truly meaningful race since last March.
“He’s been very well behaved,” he said over his left shoulder. “So I’m grateful for that.”
Kim said the injury changed his perspective on making history at this year’s Olympics.
“If you had asked me before the shoulder injury, maybe I would have a different answer,” he said. “But just because I’m coming back from an injury, obviously I didn’t do the amount of reps that I normally would at the Olympics, I’m very proud of myself and proud that I was able to make it this far.”
Chloe Kim of the United States reacts to her score during the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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The final is set for Thursday. Kim, Mastro and Bea Kim compete for a medal.
