NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
American snowboarder Chloe Kim failed to make it three straight gold medals in the women’s halfpipe event on Thursday when she fell on her final run to hand South Korea’s Gaon Choi gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Kim still won silver after her 88.00 finish on her first run, sitting in first place throughout the halfpipe final until Choi, who had two scary falls in her first two runs, emotional after a clean run landed a full score of 90.25 to overtake first place.
Kim, who fell on her second run, still had a chance to regain her top score. But she fell halfway through and the South Korean team jumped for joy knowing the gold was secured.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Chloe Kim of the United States falls during the women’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kim, who has won gold in the previous two Olympics, may have seen her reign end in the event. But she smiled, and was heading straight for Choi to celebrate with her.
Along with Choi and bronze medalist Mitsuki Ono of Japan, Kim continued to point at the South Korean victor as the camera caught them together at the bottom of the hill.
NFL STAR MYLES GARRETT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR GIRLFRIEND CHLOE KIM’S HISTORIC OLYMPIC QUEST
Choi is only 17 years old, and was considered the biggest threat to Kim’s participation in the event. She had won the X Games aged just 14 and it was time for her first Olympics in Milan. The two falls did not look promising, but she made it count on the last run.
Kim, an eight-time X Games gold medalist and three-time world champion, was looking to make Olympic history at this year’s tournament.
She would have become the first snowboarder, male or female, to ever win three consecutive gold medals. American legend Shaun White collected three Olympic golds, but he never did it in a row.
Chloe Kim of the United States falls during the women’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kim said before the event that she would be happy with the results either way.
“I just want to do what I came here to do, and if they decide to give it to me, then that’s great,” she told NBC News. “But I’m really just grateful to be in the position where I’ve won all these events multiple times. The fact that I’m able to be here and ride and be confident is all I can ask for.”
Kim had a family contingent in Milan that also included her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett, fresh off winning Defensive Player of the Year after breaking the single-season sack record.
Chloe Kim of the United States celebrates her run during the women’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kim’s silver medal marked the 14th for the United States at the Milan Cortina Games.
