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American snowboarding star Chloe Kim came into the 2026 Winter Olympics with a brutal shoulder injury, but that hasn’t deterred her one bit.
Kim finished atop the leaderboard in the qualifying round for the women’s snowboard halfpipe event and is in contention for a third consecutive gold medal. Should she accomplish the feat, Kim would become the first female Olympic snowboarder to capture three consecutive halfpipe gold medals.
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Chloe Kim of the United States trains before the women’s snowboarding halfpipe qualification at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The California native scored 90.25 on her first run, which was good enough to stay in first, though she didn’t improve on her score on her second run. Her American teammate Maddie Mastro finished third with a score of 86.00.
“I feel good. Happy to be here,” she told Olympics.com. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I think the Olympics are so special because we have so much support globally.”
Kim is competing in the Cortina Games in Milan with a shoulder brace as she deals with the injury that kept her from properly preparing for the Olympics.
Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, left, and USA’s Chloe Kim smile after the women’s snowboarding halfpipe qualification at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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She only returned to the halfpipe two weeks ago, marking her first truly meaningful race since last March.
“She’s been very well behaved,” she said of her left shoulder. “So I’m grateful for that.”
Kim said the injury changed her perspective on making history at this year’s Olympics.
“If you had asked me before the shoulder injury, I might have given you a different answer,” she said. “But just because I’m coming back from an injury, obviously I didn’t get anywhere near the reps I normally would for an Olympics, I’m just really proud of myself and proud that I’ve been able to push it as far as I have.”
Chloe Kim of the United States reacts to her score during the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualification 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 are all in contention for a medal.
