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American Alex Ferreira took home a gold medal in the men’s free ski halfpipe Olympic freestyle skiing Friday at Livigno Snow Park.
Ferreira, 31, scored a 93.75 on his final run, narrowly edging out Estonia’s Henry Sildaru, who scored a 93.00, to secure the top spot on the podium for the first time in his career. Canada’s Brendan Mackay earned a bronze medal, scoring 91.00 in his final run to knock American Nick Goepper off the podium.
Ferreira won a silver in that event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Colorado native said these Olympics would likely be his last, according to Olympics.com.
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Alex Ferreira of Team United States competes in the second round of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on February 20, 2026. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Now he goes home with his first ever gold medal.
Ferreira has made 16 World Cup podiums and won seven X Games medals. In 2023–24, he won every competition he entered, becoming the first halfpipe skier to have a perfect season.
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Alex Ferreira of Team United States competes in the second round of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on February 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ferreira was almost joined by Goepper on the podium, but Goepper’s quest for a medal was halted after a harrowing crash, giving Mackay a chance to reach the podium.
Goepper was fourth and American Birk Irving was fifth.
Alex Ferreira of Team United States reacts after competing in the third race of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on Day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on February 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
American Hunter Hess, who was criticized by President Donald Trump after Hess’ controversial remarks about representing the United States at the Olympics under the current administration, did not place and finished 10th.
Ferreira’s gold medal was the 10th for the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, tying a record for most gold medals won in the U.S. Winter Olympics. The United States won 10 gold medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games.
