The men’s freeski halfpipe qualifiers at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered a dramatic blend of athletic brilliance, resilience, and heartbreak on February 20, as the world’s top pipe skiers battled both fierce competition and uncooperative weather. The U.S. contingent, led by 31-year-old Nick Goepper, put themselves in prime position for a potential podium sweep by capturing four of the top six qualifying spots, while Canada’s Brendan Mackay soared to the highest qualifying score, and the event’s reigning world champion, Finley Melville Ives of New Zealand, suffered a terrifying crash that left the entire field shaken.
Originally slated for February 19 in Livigno, Italy, qualifying was postponed a day due to persistent snowfall and flat light—conditions that continued to plague the athletes as they took to the pipe Friday morning. With both qualifiers and finals now scheduled for the same day, the pressure and unpredictability of the competition ratcheted up several notches. As one observer put it, “how they cannot have figured out running all the pipe skiing at night is beyond us.”
The day’s most harrowing moment came courtesy of Finley Melville Ives, the 19-year-old New Zealander who entered as the reigning world champion and fresh off a Winter X Games victory. On his first run, Melville Ives lost a ski mid-air while grabbing mute, forcing him to pin all his hopes on a second attempt. But the worsening weather and mounting pressure proved too much. On his third hit of Run 2, he popped too hard, went almost to the flat, and crashed heavily, hitting his head. Medical staff rushed to his aid, tending to him for six minutes before evacuating him on a stretcher. NBC’s broadcast later reported that Melville Ives was conscious, stable, and with family—news that brought some relief to a rattled venue. Team New Zealand offered support, writing, “All our support to Fin as he’s checked over after a heavy crash on his second run.”
The emotional impact of the crash was evident among competitors and fans. Great Britain’s Gus Kenworthy, himself a former Olympic medalist, spoke for many: “I’m honestly devastated for him because I think Fin is the best pipe skier in the world right now, period. It’s a shame to see him go down and to miss out on the finals. I’m just hoping that he’s OK and that it’s nothing too serious.” Ben Harrington of New Zealand, who narrowly made the finals, dedicated his run to his fallen teammate, saying, “[Fin], if you’re listening, that one was for you brother. Putting you and New Zealand on my back.”
While Melville Ives’ absence will be keenly felt in the final, the level of skiing on display in qualifying was nothing short of “absolutely mental,” as one commentator described it. Canada’s Brendan Mackay, the 2023 world champion, set the bar with a massive 92.75—his run featuring four straight double corks, ranging from a switch 900 up to a regular 1620. Mackay’s third hit, a boosted 16, was a particular highlight, and his consistency under difficult conditions ensured he would be the last to drop in the final.
Hot on Mackay’s heels was Nick Goepper, who transitioned from slopestyle to halfpipe and has become a force in this discipline. Goepper’s first run was a masterclass in amplitude and technical prowess, linking three straight double corks—including two 1260s—and nailing a switch misty nine for a score of 90.00. “He went big too,” noted one observer. With this performance, Goepper qualified second and led a stacked American squad into the final.
Joining Goepper from Team USA were two-time Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira (2018 silver, 2022 bronze), who played it safe but flawless for an 85.75 and fourth place; Hunter Hess, whose floating tricks and slow-motion switch double up top earned him an 85.00 for fifth; and Birk Irving, whose smoothness and stylish capped 9 Cuban put him sixth with 84.25. Ferreira, Hess, and Irving all showed the depth and technical range of the U.S. team, which has medaled at every Olympic edition of men’s freeski halfpipe since the event’s debut in 2014.
Estonia’s Henry Sildaru, just 19 and the younger brother of Beijing slopestyle bronze medalist Kelly Sildaru, impressed with a technical run featuring capping grabs and a stomped 16, scoring 88.00 for third. Sildaru’s versatility was on full display, as he was the only male skier to compete in all three Olympic freeski events.
Other notable qualifiers included Gus Kenworthy, who continues to defy age and injuries, placing ninth with an 81.25, and Ben Harrington, who clinched the final qualifying spot for New Zealand with a 75.25. Canada’s Andrew Longino (83.50) and Dylan Marineau (85.25) also made the cut, while South Korea’s Lee Seung-Hun (76.00) and Ireland’s Benjamin Lynch (75.75) rounded out the top twelve. Lee’s technical prowess was on display as he reportedly landed a dub 18, potentially a first in competition history.
The competition’s format, with both qualifiers and finals on the same day, added a layer of endurance and mental toughness to an already demanding event. The weather remained a wild card, with flat light and snow making visibility and speed control tricky for even the most seasoned veterans. “Pipe, as a sport, is in a weird place,” one commentator mused, noting the scarcity of high-quality halfpipes outside North America and the increasing demands of the discipline.
The U.S. team, despite the absence of three-time Olympic medalist David Wise (who did not qualify for these Games), remains a formidable force. Their legacy in the event is unmatched: gold in 2014, gold and silver in 2018, and silver and bronze in 2022. With Goepper, Ferreira, Hess, and Irving all advancing, the Americans are poised to extend their medal streak—though Mackay, Sildaru, and the rest of the international field will have plenty to say about that in the final.
As the men’s freeski halfpipe final approaches under the Italian night sky, all eyes are on the athletes who survived a grueling day of qualifying. The stage is set for a showdown featuring technical mastery, high-flying tricks, and plenty of Olympic drama. And while the field will miss the electrifying presence of Finley Melville Ives, his spirit—and the hope for a swift recovery—will surely be felt in every run.
The men’s freeski halfpipe final is scheduled for Friday night in Italy (1:30 p.m. ET), available live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. With the Americans in hot pursuit of another Olympic medal, Canada’s Mackay leading the charge, and a field brimming with talent and determination, the world will be watching to see who rises to the top when the pressure is at its peak.