Gus Kenworthy and Zoe Atkin share freeski qualifying day as Atkin tops halfpipe
Gus Kenworthy watched the men’s event delayed by heavy snow while Zoe Atkin put down a 91. 50 on her first run to qualify top for Saturday’s freeski halfpipe final, setting up a head-to-head with the sport’s top names at Livigno Snow Park.
Atkin’s first run lifts her to the top
The 23-year-old produced a commanding opening run, earning a best score of 91. 50 and claiming top spot for Saturday’s best-of-three final. Atkin, the reigning world champion and a two-time X Games winner, impressed judges with the height of her tricks above the 6. 7m-high pipe and will drop last into the final at 18: 30 GMT (1: 30 p. m. ET).
"It feels so good, " Atkin said, describing the nerves of qualifying with only two runs to put a score down. With her sister Izzy and family watching at Livigno, Atkin said the result gave her confidence heading into Saturday’s showdown.
Gus Kenworthy set for rescheduled men's qualifier
Heavy snowfall through Thursday forced the men's halfpipe qualifiers to be postponed; the field will now compete on Friday morning from 09: 30 GMT (4: 30 a. m. ET). Gus Kenworthy and Liam Richards are listed as competing for Great Britain in that rescheduled session.
Eileen Gu, Cassie Sharpe and the rest of the field
China's defending champion Eileen Gu qualified fifth with a score of 86. 50 after an uncharacteristic first run in which she clipped the lip on her third jump and hit the deck, then recovered on her second run to return to form. Canada’s Cassie Sharpe qualified third after her first run but suffered a heavy crash on her second and was taken away on a stretcher.
Others in the women’s draw will face Atkin in Saturday’s final; Atkin’s nearest competitive marks in qualifying left her well placed to watch the field and strategize before the best-of-three contest.
Saturday’s women’s halfpipe final at Livigno is scheduled for 18: 30 GMT (1: 30 p. m. ET). The men’s qualifiers resume on Friday at 09: 30 GMT (4: 30 a. m. ET), when Gus Kenworthy and Liam Richards will compete for Great Britain in the postponed session.
