Chloe Kim Dominates Olympic Qualifying Despite Shoulder Injury Scare

The two-time Olympic champion looked unstoppable in Milan Cortina qualifying, posting a commanding 90.25 score just weeks after a shoulder injury threatened her Games participation.

Back from the Brink

Just over a month ago, Kim dislocated her shoulder during training in Switzerland, tearing her labrum and putting her Olympic participation in serious doubt. She only returned to the halfpipe two weeks ago, making Wednesday’s run her first truly meaningful competition since March. Yet none of that showed as Kim dropped in the middle of the pack and immediately separated herself from everyone, including a massive big air leap some 13 feet over the edge of the halfpipe.

Muscle Memory Takes Over

“I’ve been doing this for 22 years,” said Kim, who is 25. “Muscle memory is a thing.” Her opening run linked a risky inverted backside 720, massive switch straight air method, cab 1080 stalefish, frontside 900 and inverted indy 540. The result was a commanding 90.25 score, putting her well ahead of Japan’s Rise Kudo and South Korea’s Gaon Choi. Kim later called it “a six out of 10, and we’re going for a 10 tomorrow”.

Historic Three-Peat in Sight

Kim is chasing her own slice of history as she aims to become the first athlete to achieve three straight Olympic halfpipe titles. Shaun White was watching on at Livigno Snow Park as Kim began her bid to match the legendary snowboarder, who won three Olympic golds in the halfpipe. She’ll be joined by two Team USA teammates in Thursday’s final – Maddie Mastro qualified third, and Bea Kim also progressed in 10th.

Love in the Stands

A few minutes after her run, Kim was in the crowd sharing hugs with her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett traveled to Livigno to support Kim, and before she took her first run, he hiked up the side of the halfpipe with his camera gear to get the shot. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year confirmed their relationship when they were caught kissing on camera before a Browns game in November.

Ready for Gold

“I’ve landed all the components of my finals run. I just haven’t put them together,” Kim said. “So I’ll get to do it on the big day.” The snowboard halfpipe final takes place on February 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET. “I’m just happy to be here because for a little bit, a couple of months ago, it wasn’t looking too certain,” Kim reflected.