Winter Olympics 2026: Halfpipe final postponed until Sunday due to bad weather as Zoe Atkin and Eileen Gu wait for medal push
Updated 21/02/2026 at 22:08 GMT
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Zoe Atkin's bid for gold in the halfpipe final will have to wait until Sunday as the event has been postponed due to bad weather at the Livigno Snow Park. Eileen Gu is also among the favourites for the medals in an event she won four years ago. Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
A blizzard and a halfpipe flooded in snow - Fuller explains final postponement
Video credit: TNT Sports
The women's halfpipe final at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games has been postponed due to bad weather.
Britain's Zoe Atkin qualified in first place for the final, but will have to wait until Sunday to make her bid for gold due to heavy snow at the Livigno Snow Park, with the event kicking off at 9:40 UK time.
Heavy snow has already caused the delay of other events at these Winter Games.
British snowboarder Aimee Fuller told TNT Sports the weather conditions would have made it tough for the athletes to showcase their abilities as best they can.
"We've seen throughout the course of the competition, we've had extreme weather, which has been great for keeping the park and the pipe in great conditions because there's fresh snow," she said.
"But in terms of riding in a contest, what you don't want is a halfpipe flooded with snow. So right now, it's been dumping, which is the terminology we use.
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'Tall order' for Gu to get gold in halfpipe showdown with GB's Atkin
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Bit of a blizzard out there, strong winds and the halfpipe is actually filling up with snow. So, when it comes to dropping into that halfpipe, it's not that clean, slick surface that we're used to seeing the riders ride on.
"That would cause problems with speed, the amplitude, and they haven't managed to run the pipe cutter through the halfpipe."
The final is scheduled to be one of the most exciting in recent history, with defending champion Eileen Gu attempting to retain her crown against tough competition, spearheaded by Atkin.
Atkin qualified for the final in top spot with a clean run which scored 91.50.
The 23-year-old, 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.
On the other hand, Gu continued to struggle, eventually booking her spot in fifth.
The five-time Olympic medallist fell during her first run, the third time she has fallen at these Games.
After qualifying for the final, Gu - who is going for her third medal in Italy - spoke about the "tiredness" she is feeling as the Winter Games approach their climax.
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Atkin explains how 'tough' it is to beat Gu to halfpipe gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Chinese superstar - who likes to have 10 hours of sleep a night - has admitted to feeling "totally depleted" as she has also competed in the big air and slopestyle, winning silver in both.
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"To be honest with you, I'm really tired," Gu told TNT Sports’ Lutalo Muhammad. "I haven't had an off day in three weeks and my adrenaline levels are totally depleted.
"I missed a training here. I haven't skied pipe in two months before that. So it's been a steep learning curve to get back in the pipe, but every day counts, and hopefully I'll bring my best for finals."
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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