U.s. Snowboarding Star Chloe Kim Goes For Olympic History Thursday

MILAN — U.S. snowboarding prima Chloe Kim is connected the verge of history when she competes successful nan last of nan women’s snowboard halfpipe connected Thursday astatine Livigno Snow Park. With apical honors successful nan arena astatine some PyeongChang successful 2018 and Beijing successful 2022, she would go nan first snowboarder to declare 3 consecutive golden medals.

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“I’m conscionable going to do what I came present to do, and if they determine to springiness it to me, past awesome,” she said this week. “But I’m really conscionable grateful to beryllium successful nan position wherever I’ve won each these events aggregate times. The truth that I’m capable to beryllium present and riding and being assured is each I tin inquire for.”

Chloe Kim reacts during nan women's snowboarding halfpipe qualifications astatine nan 2026 Winter Olympics connected Wednesday.Lindsey Wasson / AP

Kim, 25, astir missed nan Milan Cortina Games wholly erstwhile she suffered a enarthrosis wounded during a training tally past period successful Switzerland. But aft being cleared to compete, she hasn’t missed a beat, taking nan apical spot retired of 24 riders successful Wednesday’s qualifying pinch a people of 90.25.

She said her enarthrosis is emotion “pretty good” heading into Thursday’s final.

“It hasn’t popped retired since it happened, which is awesome,” she said. “I consciousness for illustration it’s trending towards nan correct direction. I will request room aft this event, though. But it feels really good.”

Kim is considered nan biggest women’s snowboarding prima successful nan sport’s history. In 2018, astatine conscionable 17 years old, she became nan youngest female to triumph an Olympic snowboarding golden medal. She is besides a three-time world champion and eight-time X Games champion.