The injury scare now seems like a blip for Chloe Kim.
On Wednesday morning, the American snowboarder put down a stunning first run in the qualifying rounds of the women’s halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Olympics that landed a leading score of 90.25.
Just over a month ago, Kim dislocated her shoulder while training in Switzerland, which put her participation in Milan Cortina Olympics into question.
The 25-year-old went up one side of the halfpipe while her board appeared to get caught by a patch of snow, causing her to fall.
Days later, Kim learned she tore her labrum in her left shoulder but announced she would be good to go for the Winter Games.
“I feel good. Happy to be here,” Kim said to Olympics.com. “There is a definitely a lot of pressure, but I do think that the Olympics are so special because we have so much support globally.”
The two-time defending Olympic women’s halfpipe champion is seeking a hat trick at Thursday’s final. If accomplished, Kim would be the first athlete to achieve three straight Olympic halfpipe titles.
If Monday serves as a preview, Kim has some wiggle room against her competition.
She finished ahead of Japan’s Shimizu Sara (87.50) and U.S. teammate Maddie Mastro (86.00) to round out the top three. Fellow American Bea Kim (no relation) also qualified after a 10th-place score (76.75).
During the qualifying rounds, Shaun White was in attendance at Livigno Snow Park to watch Kim’s quest to match his legacy that included three Olympic halfpipe gold medals.
Kim’s boyfriend and the NFL’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, was also on the scene, taking photos of his girlfriend on the big day.
Garrett traveled to Milan to support Kim this week and told People he’s “just trying to be her rock” while at the Games “because throughout the year she’s mine.”
The two have been romantically linked since May 2025 and later confirmed their relationship stats when seen sharing a kiss on the sideline before the Browns’ 24-10 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23.
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