Three Southern California Snowboarders Shine in Halfpipe Finals: Highlights from Qualifying Rounds
Southern California Athletes Shine in Women’s Halfpipe Snowboard Finals at Milan Cortina Olympics
Torrance’s Chloe Kim is set to compete in the women’s halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Olympics, alongside fellow snowboarders Bea Kim from Palos Verdes and Maddie Mastro from Wrightwood. The finals will take place Thursday.
Kim, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, dominated the qualifying rounds on Wednesday, securing the top position and edging closer to the remarkable achievement of three consecutive gold medals. In a display of remarkable skill, she executed a commanding run that featured a monumental jump over the halfpipe edge and a 1080-degree spin, showcasing both her technical prowess and artistic flair.
"I’ve been doing this for 22 years," said the 25-year-old Kim. "Muscle memory is a thing."
Despite recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during a training accident in Switzerland, Kim showed no signs of rust, completing her qualifying run with confidence and enthusiasm. Wearing a shoulder brace, she had only returned to the halfpipe two weeks prior, making this her first significant performance since March.
Mastro secured the third qualifying position, while Bea Kim finished in tenth, both of whom will also vie for medals in the upcoming final. Mastro expressed optimism about her performance, saying, "I’ve landed all the components of my finals run, I just haven’t put them together. So I’ll get to do it on the big day."
The qualifying rounds featured 24 riders, with only 12 advancing after two runs. Each athlete’s best score from the two rounds was considered. Among Kim’s main competitors in the final will be Mastro, Bea Kim, Japan’s Sara Shimizu, Sena Tomita, and Korea’s Gaon Choi.
The Milan Cortina Olympics are scheduled from February 6 to February 22, culminating in the highly anticipated finals. Following this event, the Winter Paralympics will occur from March 6 to March 15 in Italy.
Looking ahead, Los Angeles will host the Olympics in 2028, marking the city’s third time as host, and its first time for the Paralympic Games. The Opening Ceremony is set for July 14, 2028, with events continuing through July 30, and the Paralympic Games following from August 15 to August 27.
