After days of anticipation and a weather-induced delay, the women’s freeski halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics finally took center stage on Sunday morning in Livigno, Italy. The world’s eyes were firmly fixed on Eileen Gu, the American-born superstar representing China, as she sought to cap off her Olympic campaign with a gold medal in her signature event. The final, originally set for Saturday, had been postponed due to an unrelenting snowstorm that rendered the Livigno Snow Park unsafe for competition. When the action resumed at 10:40 a.m. local time, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for Gu and the rest of the 12-athlete field.
Gu entered the final as the defending Olympic champion in halfpipe, having claimed gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. She had already secured silver medals in both slopestyle and big air earlier at these Games, bringing her Olympic medal tally to five and aiming for a remarkable sixth. But her journey to the top of the podium in Livigno was anything but straightforward. The competition featured a formidable lineup, including Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin—herself an American-born athlete and reigning world champion in the discipline—and China’s Li Fanghui, who had impressed in qualifying rounds.
The build-up to the final was marked by both athletic anticipation and political intrigue. Gu, who grew up in the United States but chose to represent her mother’s native China, found herself once again addressing questions about her national allegiance. “So many athletes compete for a different country,” Gu told reporters, responding to criticism that has followed her throughout her career. “People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity and they just hate China. So it’s not really about what they think it’s about. And also, because I win. If I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much, and that’s OK for me. People are entitled to their opinions.”
As the final got underway, the tension was palpable. American Kate Gray opened the event with a run that scored 44.5 after missing her last trick—a tough start, but a moment she’d look to build on. China’s Liu Yishan quickly followed, posting a solid 70. The early drama escalated when Svea Irving, the 23-year-old from Winter Park, Colorado, suffered a heavy fall on her first attempt, ultimately finishing 11th after sitting out her second run. Irving had qualified eighth and was the fifth athlete to drop into the pipe, but the crash dashed her hopes for a top finish.
The first round saw Zoe Atkin of Great Britain set the bar high with a clean, technically sound run that earned her 90.5 points and the early lead. Atkin, who had topped the qualifiers with a 91.5, was clearly in form and ready to challenge for gold. But Eileen Gu’s opening run was far from her best. An unclean landing on her first trick forced her to ski through to the end, netting only 30 points—a nervy start for the defending champion.
Undeterred, Gu regrouped for her second attempt. With the pressure mounting and the crowd on edge, she delivered a spectacular performance, landing a series of high-flying tricks with precision and confidence. Her score: a commanding 94.00, vaulting her into the gold medal position and electrifying the crowd. Atkin responded with an ambitious run, seeking to reclaim the top spot, but a fall left her trailing behind Gu and China’s Li Fanghui, who had just posted a strong 91.5.
The final round was a showcase of nerves and skill. Kate Gray, eager to finish on a high note, executed a clean run for a score of 66.5, a personal triumph even if not enough for a podium finish. Meanwhile, Atkin and Li prepared for their last shots at gold. Li’s run was smooth and technically impressive, earning her a 93 and moving her into silver medal position. Atkin, drawing on all her experience and determination, launched into her final run with huge amplitude and technical flair. Her score of 92.5 was enough for bronze, but not quite enough to overtake Gu or Li.
All eyes turned to Gu for her third and final run. With the pressure of Olympic history bearing down, she delivered yet again—this time improving slightly to a near-flawless 94.75. The run was a statement of dominance, featuring massive height on her first hit and flawless execution throughout. The judges rewarded her accordingly, and as the scores flashed on the screen, Gu pumped her arms in celebration, the weight of expectation finally giving way to triumph.
For Gu, the victory was more than just another medal—it was a testament to her resilience and ability to perform under immense scrutiny. She became a two-time Olympic champion in halfpipe, the first athlete to claim three medals in two consecutive Winter Games since big air was added to the Olympic program. Her performance underscored her status as one of the sport’s true superstars.
Li Fanghui’s silver and Atkin’s bronze rounded out a podium that reflected the international nature of the sport. Atkin’s achievement was particularly notable, following in the footsteps of her sister Izzy, who won bronze in slopestyle at Pyeongchang. For Team USA, it was a bittersweet day, with Kate Gray finishing 10th and Svea Irving 11th after a valiant effort despite adversity.
The final also highlighted the evolving dynamics of Olympic competition, where athletes increasingly represent countries other than their birth nations. Gu’s journey has sparked debate and, at times, controversy, but her athletic prowess is undeniable. “People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity and they just hate China. So it’s not really about what they think it’s about,” Gu reiterated after the event, emphasizing her focus on the sport rather than the politics swirling around her.
As the sun rose over Livigno and the snow settled on the halfpipe, Eileen Gu stood atop the podium once more, gold medal in hand, her place in Olympic history secure. With six medals across two Games and a legacy that transcends borders, Gu’s star continues to shine brightly—no matter which flag she carries.