Chloe Kim of the United States lands a jump in the women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI
Feb. 11 (UPI) -- American Chloe Kim began her quest for an unprecedented third-consecutive gold medal with mesmerizing runs Wednesday in Olympic halfpipe qualifiers.
Kim posted the top score, with a 90.25 on her first run on the halfpipe at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy. Japan's Sara Shimizu was second, with an 87.50 from her second run. American Maddie Mastro posted the third-best score, with an 86.00 on her second run.
Fellow American Bea Kim also was one of 12 qualifiers for the final. Her 76.75 first run was the 10th-best score of the day.
Kim will attempt to become the first snowboarder in history to win gold in the same event three consecutive times during the halfpipe final Thursday in Livigno.
"I'm just going to do what I came here to do, and if they decide to give it to me, then awesome," Kim told NBC. "I'm really just grateful to be in the position where I've won all these events multiple times.
Chloe Kim of the United States competes in women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI
"The fact that I'm able to be here and riding, and being confident, is all I can ask for."
Chloe Kim of the United States grabs her board in women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI
Two-time Gold medalist Chloe Kim WOWS with a huge first run in halfpipe qualifying.
Chloe Kim of the United States competes in women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI
Kim, who sustained a dislocated shoulder last month during training in Laax, Switzerland, was in fine form for the qualifier. She landed sensation tricks, including a switch 1080 and beautiful drifting and inverted 540 as her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, looked on during her qualifying session.
The women's halfpipe final will air at 1:30 p.m. EST Thursday on NBC.
Chloe Kim of the United States flies during women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI
Men's halfpipe qualification will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Livigno Snow Park. The men's final will air at 1:30 p.m. Friday on NBC. Americans failed to make the podium through the first three days of snowboarding medal competitions.
