Kim closes in on Olympic history
Chloe Kim will chase history on Thursday at Livigno Snow Park as she competes in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final. The American star already owns gold medals from the 2018 PyeongChang Games and the 2022 Beijing Olympics. If she wins again in Milan Cortina, she will become the first snowboarder to capture three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the event.
Kim says she is focused on her performance, not the record books. She explained that she came to compete at her best and feels grateful for the success she has already achieved. For her, being healthy enough to ride with confidence matters most.
Injury scare nearly derailed her season
Just weeks ago, her Olympic hopes looked uncertain. Kim injured her shoulder during a training session in Switzerland last month. For a moment, her appearance at the Games seemed in doubt.
However, doctors cleared her to compete, and she quickly proved she was ready. In Wednesday’s qualifying round, she topped a field of 24 riders with a strong score of 90.25. That performance sent a clear message that she remains the rider to beat.
Kim shared that her shoulder feels stable heading into the final. Although she expects to undergo surgery after the Games, she said the injury has not caused further issues since the initial incident.
A legacy already secured
At 25, Kim has already built one of the most decorated careers in women’s snowboarding. She won her first Olympic gold at just 17, becoming the youngest woman ever to claim a snowboarding title at the Winter Games.
In addition to her Olympic success, she holds three world championship titles and eight X Games victories. Many consider her the biggest star the sport has seen that connections hint
Strong competition awaits
Still, the final will not be easy. Japan’s Sara Shimizu and American Maddie Mastro finished second and third in qualifying. Both riders have the talent to challenge Kim if she makes mistakes.
Even so, Kim appears calm and confident. She said she feels proud of how she handled setbacks this season. A few months ago, she was unsure if she would even compete. Now, she stands one run away from making history again.
Kim added that she feels more at ease than ever before at an Olympic Games. She believes she knows exactly why she is there and what she needs to do.
