Chloe Kim performs at the women’s halfpipe qualifying round in Milano Cortina
Fear of injury now seems like a fleeting thing for Chloe Kim.
On Wednesday morning, the American snowboarder had a stunning first round in the women’s halfpipe qualifying rounds at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning a lead score of 90.25.
A little over a month ago, Kim She dislocated her shoulder while training in SwitzerlandWhich put her participation in the Milan Cortina Olympics into question.
The 25-year-old climbed onto one side of the half pipe while her board appeared to get caught in a patch of snow, causing her to fall.
Days later, Kim found out She tore a labrum in her left shoulder But she announced that she would be willing to participate in the Winter Games.
“I feel good. I’m happy to be here,” Kim told Olympics.com. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I think the Olympics are very special because we have a lot of support globally.”
The two-time Olympic women’s halfpipe champion is seeking a hat-trick in Thursday’s final. If accomplished, Kim will be the first athlete to achieve three consecutive Olympic titles in the halfpipe.
If Monday serves as a preview, Kim has plenty of wiggle room against her rivals.
She finished ahead of Japan’s Shimizu Sara (87.50) and fellow American Maddie Mastro (86.00) to take the top three places. Her American colleague Pia Kim (no relation) also qualified after finishing in tenth place (76.75).
During the qualifying rounds, Shaun White was on hand at Livigno Snow Park to watch Kim’s quest to match his legacy that included three Olympic halfpipe gold medals.
Kim’s friend and 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, He was also at the sceneHe takes pictures of his girlfriend on the big day.
Garrett traveled to Milan to support Kim this week and told People magazine that he “just tries to be her rock” while at the Games “because all year round she’s mine.”
The two have been linked romantically since May 2025 and later confirmed their relationship stats when they were seen sharing a kiss on the sideline before the Browns’ 24-10 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23.
