It took all of one run for Chloe Kim to kill any suspense in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final.
The defending gold medalist banked a 94.00 score on her first try — good enough to guarantee a second-straight gold — with a stunning series of tricks that included two 1080s and a switchback 900-degree flip. That blew away the competition, with Queralt Castellet winning silver on a 90.25 score. Kim’s average height on her medal-winning run was 9 feet and 9 inches.
Upon completing the run, Kim fell to her knees, knowing she had all but ended the competition when it was only a third of the way over.
In an interview with NBC afterward, she said her practice prior to the final was “one of the worst” she’s ever had.
“I was dealing with all sorts of emotions,” Kim said. “I just reminded myself that it’s a brand new run and I just have to land it now. I was so happy I was able to do that.”
Kim said that her first run was her “safety run” — after which she focused on landing a 1260 that she had only done once all year during practice.
Following a 90.25 on her second run, Castellet faltered on her third run, failing to take more out of Kim’s lead. Still, that score held for the Spaniard to win silver, with Japan’s Sena Tomita taking bronze with a score of 88.25.
Japan’s Mitsuki Ono was the last competitor to go before Kim’s final run, guaranteeing gold for Kim when she fell.
Kim, a native of Torrance, Calif., was the only American who qualified for the final with an 87.25 on Wednesday morning. She’s now the first woman to win consecutive gold medals in the event, and takes home the second gold medal of the Beijing Olympics for Team USA. The U.S. has now won gold in women’s snowboard halfpipe in five of the last six Winter Games.
As in qualifying on Wednesday, Kim fell on her second run. With a 94 already in her pocket, Kim attempted a 1260 and couldn’t land it. But by then, there wasn’t much for her to worry about. She took her third run already having secured the gold medal, failing again to land the 1260.
“I’m honestly super proud of myself for going out there and even trying to do it,” Kim said.
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Since winning in Pyeongchang in 2018, Kim took 22 months off from the sport to enroll in college at Princeton and deal with a broken ankle. Still, upon returning to world championships last year in Aspen, she didn’t miss a trick, winning gold in the halfpipe event.
Now, at 21, she’s won Olympic gold for a second time — and doesn’t look as though she’s about to slow down.
“I am in a much better headspace and I think I have a better idea of what to expect,” Kim said. “And I am so eager to see my loved ones. … I think that’ll keep me happy and I’m just gonna feel all the feelings and just be proud of myself.”
With two medals at such a young age, Kim is on track for a career that could make her an all-time Olympic great. She’s young enough to compete in Milan in 2026, and will still be below age 30 for the 2030 Games.
