A Close Finish in the Halfpipe Final
U.S. snowboard star Chloe Kim secured a silver medal in the women’s halfpipe at the Winter Olympics, but her second place finish has fueled discussion over scoring in one of the Games’ most anticipated events.
Kim opened with a strong first run that earned an 88.0, placing her at the top of the standings early. That score held through much of the competition until 17-year-old South Korean rider Choi Ga-on delivered a final run that scored 90.25, moving her into gold medal position.
Kim attempted to reclaim the lead on her last run but fell, ending her bid for another Olympic title. The reigning two-time gold medalist immediately congratulated Choi afterward, embracing her competitor in a show of sportsmanship. Still, debate over the scoring quickly followed.
The Double Cork Question
At the heart of the controversy is Kim’s execution of a double cork 1080, widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding tricks in women’s halfpipe snowboarding. Some figures within the snowboard community argue that this element alone could have warranted a higher score.
NBC snowboarding commentator Todd Richards publicly questioned the evaluation. He noted that a double cork 1080 carries significant risk due to its inverted rotations and degree of spin. In his view, the consequences of executing that maneuver are greater than those attached to some alternative tricks.
However, observers also point out that judging in snowboard halfpipe considers more than a single highlight trick. Choi’s winning run featured a combination of difficult spins performed from varying approaches and angles. Notably, her switch-backside 900 is considered among the sport’s most challenging directional maneuvers.
While Kim also went inverted twice during her run, supporters of the judges’ decision argue that Choi’s line demonstrated overall technical diversity and execution quality that justified the higher score.
A Narrow Margin and Surprising Scores
The final margin of just over two points underscores how closely matched the performances were. Kim’s 88.0 in her opening run drew some surprise among commentators, who expected a higher number given the complexity of her trick selection.
This raised questions about scoring strategy. Some analysts speculated that judges may have anticipated additional progression in subsequent runs, potentially influencing initial scoring decisions. Because Kim’s first run score remained her best, and she had only one opportunity to respond after Choi’s 90.25, the timing proved decisive.
Ultimately, the result hinged on execution in a format where only the top run counts. Kim’s fall on her final attempt eliminated her chance to surpass Choi’s mark, leaving her with silver rather than gold.
Broader Olympic Storylines
Kim’s result joins other closely contested moments at the Winter Games, including ice dance and additional snowboarding events drawing attention across Team USA. In the men’s halfpipe competition, American riders including Alessandro Barbieri, Chase Josey and Jake Pates advanced to challenge leader Scotty James in the final.
Kim’s silver medal adds to an already remarkable Olympic résumé. Though not the third gold some expected, her performance confirmed her status among the elite riders in the sport. Whether the judging debate lingers or fades may depend on perspective, but the contest itself reflected the razor thin margins that define Olympic competition.
In the end, the difference came down to one run, one score and a fraction of execution. For Chloe Kim, silver represents both accomplishment and a reminder of how little separates first from second on snow’s biggest stage.
