Injured Chloe Kim Confident Yet Anxious for Olympic Halfpipe

Chloe Kim is preparing for a critical moment in her career as she approaches the Olympic halfpipe competition. The talented snowboarder returns to the sport after nearly 11 months away due to injuries.

Chloe Kim’s Journey to the Olympic Halfpipe

The upcoming competition in Italy marks Kim’s first significant ride since sustaining a shoulder injury during a training session in Switzerland earlier this year. As the event approaches, Kim admits to grappling with both confidence and anxiety.

Injury and Recovery

Two days before the Olympics, Kim expressed her concerns. “I have so much anxiety,” she noted, but she is finding solace in family support and the tranquil atmosphere she encounters.

• Age: 25
• Last Injury: Shoulder injury sustained in January 2023
• Duration off the halfpipe: Nearly 11 months

Kim has been wearing a brace on her left shoulder, which surprisingly has helped improve her riding. “In a funny way… it made my riding better,” she remarked.

Coach’s Perspective

Rick Bower, Kim’s coach, commented on her progress since returning to the snow. He acknowledged the challenges but is optimistic about her readiness for the competition. “She’s in a place where she can deal with it,” he said.

Building Confidence

Despite her recent hurdles, Kim found success earlier this year by winning a contest in Aspen. This victory secured her position on the Olympic team over a year before the Games. She subsequently won the world championships and planned a gradual start to the Olympic season.

• Key Competitions:
  • Copper Mountain in December 2022
  • Laax, Switzerland in January 2023

Her only scored run since March was at Copper Mountain, where she faced another injury during the finals. Now, with the Olympics imminent, she hopes muscle memory will take over once she begins her run.

Looking Ahead to the Olympics

Shifting focus to the competition, Kim remains confident in her abilities. “I feel really good about how I’m feeling physically and mentally,” she stated. However, she acknowledges rising competitors, particularly 17-year-old Gaon Choi from South Korea, who poses a potential challenge.

Kim is set to attempt a more complex run than she performed in Beijing, featuring tricks that require versatility in riding both backward and forward. “If I’m able to pull that off, irrespective of where I place, I’ll be really content,” she concluded.

As Chloe Kim prepares to take the halfpipe, she carries the weight of expectations while demonstrating resilience and determination to excel against the odds.