Chloe Kim's Three-Peat Dream Shattered by Gaon Choi at 2026 Winter Olympics
On a frigid, snow-laden evening in Livigno, Italy, the women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered a dramatic twist. American snowboarding icon Chloe Kim, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold, led early with an 88.00 opener. However, the spotlight shifted when 17-year-old South Korean sensation Gaon Choi executed a breathtaking 90.25 on her final run, snatching the gold medal. Kim, who fell during her own last attempt, had to settle for silver, ending her quest to become the first snowboarder with three straight Olympic titles in any event.
Kim's Injury and Resilient Performance
Just a month before the Milan Cortina Games, Kim suffered a torn labrum in her left shoulder during training in Switzerland, casting doubt on her participation. Despite the injury, she qualified first and adopted a cautious strategy in the final, banking an 88.00 in her opening run as other competitors struggled in heavy snowfall. Choi, who crashed hard in her first attempt and required medical attention, made a remarkable comeback to land the run of the night on her third try, securing the gold.
Faced with a critical decision on her final drop, Kim chose to attempt her most challenging combination, including the cab double 1080 that has defined her career progression, rather than repeating her safer first run. This aggressive move led to a fall, extinguishing her three-peat hopes. Reflecting on the outcome, Kim displayed remarkable resilience, telling reporters, "In my eyes, I'm a winner, because I was able to persevere and fight through." She is expected to undergo shoulder surgery upon returning to the United States.
Kim's Olympic Legacy and Historical Context
Kim's Olympic journey began in 2018 at PyeongChang, where, at age 17, she won gold with a 93.75 and nearly achieved perfection with a 98.25 on her final run, becoming the youngest woman to claim Olympic snowboarding gold. In 2022 at Beijing, she cemented her status by winning back-to-back halfpipe titles with a dominant 94.00 opener, making her the first woman ever to achieve this feat. Her career accolades include three Olympic medals, eight X Games golds, and numerous world titles, alongside pioneering tricks like the double cork 1080 and a historic 1260.
This year, Kim's silver medal joins other failed three-peat bids, such as those by Ester Ledecka in parallel giant slalom and Anna Gasser in big air, highlighting the rarity of such achievements in Olympic snowboarding. Despite the setback, Kim's influence remains profound; even with a torn shoulder and a teenage rival surpassing her, she continues to set the standard in the sport.
