The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in women’s snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, with prodigy 최가온 and reigning champion Chloe Kim poised for a contest that’s already drawing worldwide attention. Both athletes bring compelling stories, remarkable records, and a healthy dose of mutual respect to the slopes of Livigno Snow Park, where the qualifiers kick off on February 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM Korean time, followed by the much-anticipated medal final in the early hours of February 13.
Chloe Kim, the Korean-American superstar, arrives in Italy on the cusp of history. Having captured gold at both the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games, she now chases an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic title in snowboard halfpipe—a feat no one has managed before. Yet, Kim’s journey to Milan-Cortina hasn’t been without its hurdles. In January, a training mishap in Switzerland left her nursing a shoulder injury, forcing her to miss a chunk of the World Cup season and putting her legendary resilience to the test.
Speaking candidly at a press conference on February 9 at Livigno Snow Park, Kim addressed both her physical condition and her mindset. “I had to deal with a bit of a variable—my injury,” she explained, smiling wryly. “It meant I had to take a break in the middle of the season, but honestly, I really enjoyed it. It’s kind of crazy that my first competition back is the Olympics, but I’m determined to do well. My shoulder feels okay. I’ve been riding with a brace and heavy taping, and while it’s a bit gruesome to rip it off after a run, it’s worth it.”
Kim’s humility and humor were on full display as she reflected on her career and the emergence of her chief rival, South Korea’s 최가온. “I’ve known Gaon since she was very young and I really like her,” Kim said. “It’s so moving to see her on such a big stage. Sometimes, it feels like I’m watching a mirror image of myself and my family. It’s amazing to see another Korean girl performing at the Olympics.”
최가온, just 16 and already a sensation, has set the snowboarding world abuzz with her meteoric rise. This season, she swept three FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup gold medals, cementing her status as the top-ranked women’s halfpipe rider. Her journey to Milan-Cortina has been defined by both technical growth and a mature approach to competition. In an interview with Olympics.com, she admitted, “At the Secret Garden event in China, I kind of expected to do well. But I didn’t even plan to go to the second Copper Mountain event, and in Laax, I just thought of it as Olympic training. Winning gold there was a happy surprise.”
Her focus in training has been on consistency and clean execution. “I’m not aiming to do new tricks right now. I just want to land what I already know without falling,” she explained. “I haven’t decided which tricks I’ll do at the Olympics. It depends on how I feel that day.” This measured approach has paid dividends, as 최가온 has consistently delivered under pressure, often clinching victory with flawless second runs.
Despite her success, 최가온 has not been immune to Olympic nerves. “I used to think about the Olympics so much that I’d dream about competing,” she confessed. “My hands would get sweaty just imagining it. Lately, I try to think about it less so I can sleep better.” Yet, the magnitude of the moment is not lost on her. “It’s an honor just to compete alongside Chloe Kim. I started snowboarding because of her, so sharing the Olympic stage is a dream come true.”
The rivalry between Kim and 최가온 is as much a story of mentorship as it is of competition. The two were set to face off earlier this season at Copper Mountain, but Kim’s injury forced her to withdraw before the finals. That means their first head-to-head battle of the season will unfold on the Olympic stage in Livigno—a tantalizing prospect for fans and athletes alike.
최가온’s ambitions extend beyond personal accolades. “Halfpipe is pretty popular in the U.S. and elsewhere, but it’s not as well-known in Korea,” she said. “I want to help change that through my Olympic performance.” Still, she retains the perspective of a teenager, eagerly anticipating the chance to eat malatang and Dubai chewy cookies with friends after the Games. “My dad’s a great cook, but I really miss malatang,” she laughed.
As the Olympic qualifiers approach, the format is straightforward: each athlete gets two runs, with the better score counting toward qualification. The top 12 will advance to the finals, scheduled for February 13 at 3:30 AM Korean time. With both Kim and 최가온 in top form—Kim returning from injury, 최가온 riding a wave of confidence—the contest promises to be fierce and unpredictable.
Observers are also keeping an eye on the broader context. Chloe Kim’s pursuit of a third straight gold is a storyline for the ages, but so is 최가온’s quest to topple her idol and inspire a new generation of Korean snowboarders. “I want to be remembered as someone who rides the board well, not just someone who does big tricks,” 최가온 said. “Enjoying the experience is just as important as the result.”
For Kim, the Olympics are a chance to rediscover her joy for the sport after a challenging year. “Focusing on my mental health has helped me remember why I started snowboarding in the first place,” she told Olympics.com. “I just want to be remembered as the best rider out there.”
As the world tunes in to Livigno, anticipation is sky-high. Will Chloe Kim etch her name in the history books with a record-breaking third gold? Or will 최가온’s breakout season culminate in Olympic glory? For now, all eyes are on the slopes, where two generations of talent are about to collide in a contest that could redefine the sport.
Regardless of the outcome, the women’s snowboard halfpipe at Milan-Cortina 2026 is shaping up to be a showcase of skill, resilience, and the enduring power of inspiration. The countdown to the qualifiers has begun, and with it, the promise of a new chapter in Olympic snowboarding history.