Winter Olympics 2026: Zoe Atkin delivers sensational run to qualify in first for women's halfpipe final, Eileen Gu qualifies despite fall
Updated 21/02/2026 at 12:12 GMT
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Team GB's Zoe Atkin qualified for the Winter Olympic women's halfpipe final in first place with an incredible score of 91.50 in Livigno. Atkin, who won the 2026 X Games in Aspen, delivered despite the abhorrent conditions, which saw both the men's halfpipe and the men's aerials postponed until Friday. China's Eileen Gu, looking to defend her title, qualified despite a fall in the first run.
Atkin nails 'beautiful' run to seal halfpipe qualification
Video credit: TNT Sports
Team GB's Zoe Atkin qualified in first place in the women’s halfpipe final with a superb performance that will have caught her rivals' attention at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 23-year-old, fresh off X Games glory, delivered an incredible opening run of 91.50 to send her straight to the top of the standings.
In her second run, she did not improve on her first score but safely got through the run, remaining at the top.
The conditions were far from ideal - so bad in fact that the earlier competitions of the men’s halfpipe and aerials were postponed until Friday, with snow falling throughout the day and even in the competition itself.
Despite the fresh snow, though, Atkin came out and wiped away the rest of the field with a near faultless opening effort to lead Canadian Cassie Sharpe after the first run.
Eileen Gu, tipped to defend her crown from Beijing four years ago, fell in her first run, leaving her way off the pace.
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Gu clips wall in 'nervy moment' but qualifies with second run
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Chinese superstar, who has already banked two silver medals at these Games, was first in the start order and under pressure to even make Saturday’s final, but turned around a score of 86.50 to safely qualify.
There was a long pause in proceedings when Sharpe, who scored 88.25 in the first run, had a bad crash towards the end of her second run and was led away on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace but waving towards the large numbers of Canadian supporters.
She qualified for the final in third, but it remains to be seen whether she will be able to compete.
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China’s Fanghui Li improved on her 85.00 in the opening run, with a massive 90.00, the top score in the second run, to be Atkin’s closest contender.
Indra Brown was second best in the second run with a score of 87.50 to book her place in the final as the fourth-highest scorer.
American Kate Gray was sitting in the nervy 12th spot after a 74.75 for a long time, but was able to squeeze her way into the Olympic final after main contender to take the final spot off her, Dillan Glennie, fell in her second run.
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Atkin 'really proud' and 'excited' to make halfpipe final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Atkin, who won gold in the 2025 World Championships, as well as in the 2026 X Games, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her already growing list of accolades.
She is also hoping to follow in the footsteps of sister Izzy, who won bronze in slopestyle aged 19 in PyeongChang.
She was one of three Team GB skiers who came into the Games with genuine medal hopes after the X Games, alongside Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes.
Both Muir and Brookes suffered arguably the worst fate in Olympic sport – finishing fourth.
Now it is a case of Atkin proving third time lucky for Team GB and if she can perform anywhere near the levels of this qualifying run, she has a live chance to stand atop the podium.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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