History was made at Livigno Snowpark in Italy as Lee Seung-hoon soared into the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first Korean athlete ever to achieve this feat. On February 20, 2026, Lee, representing Korea National Sport University and just 21 years old, delivered a performance that electrified Korean winter sports fans and set a new benchmark for the nation’s freestyle skiing program.
The qualification round was no walk in the park—postponed from its original February 19 slot due to heavy snowfall, the event finally unfolded under challenging conditions. Twenty-five of the world’s top halfpipe skiers lined up, each vying for one of just twelve coveted spots in the final. Lee Seung-hoon, unfazed by the weather or the pressure, was the 13th athlete to drop in, and what a show he put on!
In his first run, Lee executed a flawless sequence of five tricks, including a difficult Indy Double Cork 1440—four full rotations in midair—earning him a score of 76.00 points. This run placed him 8th at the time and, as scores continued to roll in, proved enough to secure 10th place overall and a ticket to the final. According to Olympics.com, "Lee Seung-hoon ranked 10th among 25 competitors with a score of 76.00 points, qualifying for the final."
But Lee wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. In his second run, he attempted an even more ambitious Indy Double Cork 1880—five full rotations, a trick rarely seen at this level. Although he didn’t stick the landing, the boldness of his attempt spoke volumes about his competitive spirit and hunger for progress. Even with the fall, his first-run score was enough to keep him firmly within the top 12, advancing him to the final round.
"I wanted to challenge myself and push the limits," Lee later said, as reported by multiple Korean outlets. The judges certainly took note, scoring his first run with a range from 75 to 78, averaging out to that all-important 76.00. His highest jumps reached 3.6 meters, with an average height of 2.8 meters—numbers that underscore the technical mastery and athleticism required in this demanding Olympic event.
Freestyle skiing halfpipe is a discipline that demands not just physical prowess but also nerves of steel and creative flair. Athletes are evaluated on height, technique, difficulty, flow, and stability as they perform aerial tricks on a semi-cylindrical slope. Lee’s performance was a masterclass in both execution and ambition, a combination that has defined his career since his early teens.
Lee’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable. He first burst onto the international scene with a silver medal at the 2021 FIS Junior World Championships, setting a new high-water mark for Korean freestyle skiing. In February 2024, he made more history with a bronze at the Calgary World Cup—the first time a Korean skier had ever reached the podium at a freestyle skiing World Cup event. His gold at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games cemented his reputation as a trailblazer, making him the first Korean to win the discipline at the Asian Games.
His Olympic debut in Beijing 2022 ended in disappointment, with a 16th-place finish in the qualification round and no trip to the final. But Lee’s response to that setback has been a relentless pursuit of improvement, culminating in this historic breakthrough at Milano-Cortina. As Yonhap News put it, "Lee Seung-hoon is the first Korean athlete to reach the Olympic final in this freestyle skiing halfpipe event."
Meanwhile, fellow Korean competitor Moon Hee-sung, just 20 and also from Korea National Sport University, faced a tougher road. Battling the lingering effects of a tailbone injury, Moon managed a score of 35.00 points in his first run and was unable to improve in his second. He finished 22nd overall, missing out on the final but gaining invaluable Olympic experience in his debut appearance. "Moon Hee-sung scored 35 points, ranking 22nd and did not qualify for the final," confirmed The Fact.
The qualification event itself was a testament to the unpredictability of winter sports. Originally set for February 19, it was delayed a day due to heavy snow—a reminder that nature is always a factor in outdoor competitions. Even on the rescheduled day, athletes had to contend with challenging weather, making Lee’s achievement all the more impressive.
The men’s halfpipe final is set for the early hours of February 21, 2026, at 3:30 a.m. Korean Standard Time. Lee will face off against a formidable field of international stars, including top qualifiers from Canada, the United States, Estonia, Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand. The likes of Brendan Mackay (Canada, 92.75 points), Nick Goepper (USA, 90.00), and Henry Sildaru (Estonia, 88.00) have set the bar high, but Lee’s consistent progression and fearless approach suggest he’s ready to challenge the world’s best.
For Korean winter sports, Lee’s performance marks a watershed moment. Freestyle skiing halfpipe only made its Olympic debut at Sochi 2014, and while Korean athletes have participated—Kim Kwang-jin finished 25th at Sochi, Lee Kang-bok 27th at PyeongChang 2018—none had advanced to the final until now. Lee’s journey from a 16th-place finish in Beijing to the final in Milano-Cortina is a story of grit, growth, and inspiration.
As the final approaches, anticipation is sky-high. Can Lee Seung-hoon cap his historic run with Korea’s first Olympic medal in freestyle skiing? The answer will unfold in just a few hours, but whatever the outcome, his place in the annals of Korean winter sports is already assured. With a blend of technical brilliance, creative daring, and relentless determination, Lee Seung-hoon has not only raised the bar for himself but for all who follow in his tracks.
All eyes now turn to Livigno Snowpark, where Lee’s quest for Olympic glory continues. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the hopes of a nation ride with him as he prepares to drop in for the final—making history with every turn.