The 2026 Winter Olympics women’s snowboarding halfpipe finals kick off today, and Team USA’s Chloe Kim is front and center chasing history. The two-time defending gold medalist topped qualifiers with a scorching 90.25 score. She’s aiming to become the first snowboarder ever to win three straight Olympic golds in the event.
Kim battled through a torn labrum and shoulder dislocation from training just a month ago. Yet she powered through the 2026 Winter Olympics women’s snowboarding halfpipe qualifiers like it was nothing. Her run featured massive amplitude and trademark spins that left the competition in the dust.
Teammates Bea Kim and Maddie Mastro also punched their tickets to the finals. That gives the U.S. a powerful trio in the 2026 Winter Olympics women’s snowboarding halfpipe. American fans have plenty to cheer for as the action heats up in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Overseas challengers include Spain’s Queralt Castellet Ibanez and Japan’s Sena Tomita, both advancing strong. China’s Liu Jiayu, a 2018 silver medalist, had a nasty crash in qualifying. Her board caught an edge, sending her into a head-first “Scorpion” wipeout with shoulder and head impacts. She was cleared of major spinal injury but the scare highlighted the sport’s risks.
Riders drop into a towering U-shaped pipe more than 22 feet high. They launch huge aerial tricks, spins, and grabs. Scores hinge on amplitude, difficulty, execution, and pure style. Multiple runs decide who advances, and the best score wins gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics women’s snowboarding halfpipe.
Catch Team USA live in today’s finals. NBC and Peacock have the broadcast covered for every big air and landing. Don’t miss Chloe Kim’s shot at immortality in the 2026 Winter Olympics women’s snowboarding halfpipe.