American freeskier Alex Ferreira has claimed the gold medal in the men’s halfpipe final at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. The event took place on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Ferreira’s Olympic career.
Alex Ferreira’s Olympic Journey
At 31 years old, Ferreira completed his Olympic medal collection with this victory. His winning score of 93.75 points came from his third and final run. Previously, he had secured a silver medal in Pyeongchang (2018) and a bronze in Beijing (2022). Now, he stands as a decorated athlete for Team USA, delivering the nation’s first gold in freeski or snowboard at the Livigno Snow Park in nearly two weeks.
The Medalists
- Gold: Alex Ferreira (USA) – 93.75 points
- Silver: Henry Sildaru (Estonia) – 93 points
- Bronze: Brendan Mackay (Canada) – edged out Nick Goepper (USA)
19-year-old Henry Sildaru made a remarkable debut at his first Olympics by clinching silver. His third run was just 0.75 points shy of Ferreira’s score. Meanwhile, Brendan Mackay from Canada took the bronze medal, narrowly beating Nick Goepper on the final run of the competition.
Celebrating Success
In an emotional moment after the victory, Ferreira expressed his joy by joking about celebrating with “copious amounts of beer.” His excitement resonated among family and friends, as they watched the Star-Spangled Banner play for the first time at the Livigno Snow Park. “Best moment of my life,” Ferreira declared.
Challenges Faced
Goepper, who aimed for his fourth Olympic medal, faced a setback when he crashed during his final run but emerged unharmed. South Korean athlete Lee Seunghun did not compete in the final due to a crash during warm-up.
About the Halfpipe
The halfpipe at Livigno measures 220 meters in length, 22 meters wide, and rises to 7.2 meters in height. This venue hosts key freestyle events, including halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air for both freeskiing and snowboarding.
Alex Ferreira’s journey culminates in a long-awaited Olympic title, showcasing his determination and talent in the freeski halfpipe category. His success not only fulfills a personal dream but also adds to Team USA’s accolades at these Winter Games.
