Gus Kenworthy Joins Zoe Atkin in Milano Cortina Freeski Storyline as Atkin Qualifies Top for Halfpipe Final
gus kenworthy is set to compete in the rescheduled men's freeski halfpipe qualifiers after heavy snow forced a postponement, while Zoe Atkin secured top position in women's qualifying and will head into the final with momentum. The reshuffled schedule and Atkin's commanding first run have created a high-stakes buildup to the halfpipe finals at Milano Cortina.
Gus Kenworthy set for rescheduled men's halfpipe qualifiers
Heavy snow disrupted the men's halfpipe qualifying session, moving the competition to a Friday morning start at 09: 30 GMT (4: 30 AM ET). The revised field will include Gus Kenworthy and Liam Richards, each listed as competing for Great Britain in the reordered schedule. The postponement compresses the window for men's competitors to recover and adjust, putting an emphasis on quick acclimatisation to the Livigno pipe after the weather break.
Zoe Atkin tops freeski halfpipe qualifying
Zoe Atkin produced the day’s standout qualifying performance, posting a best score of 91. 50 on her first run to claim the top seed for the women's halfpipe final. That result means Atkin will drop last in the Saturday final, which is scheduled for 18: 30 GMT (1: 30 PM ET), in a best-of-three runs format. Atkin’s run impressed with both height above the pipe and technical execution, leaving her in a strong position heading into medal contention.
The qualifying phase saw notable moments beyond Atkin’s lead. The defending champion from China landed in fifth with a qualifying score of 86. 50 after a crash on an earlier attempt and managed to return to the scoreboard on a second run. Canada’s top contender qualified third but suffered a heavy crash on a second run and required stretcher removal. Those events underline how quickly fortunes can change in halfpipe competition and how qualification day doubled as a reminder of the sport’s risks.
Schedule implications and what comes next
The compressed timeline after the weather disruption means both men’s and women’s athletes will face sharp turnarounds and altered preparation windows. With the women's final set for 18: 30 GMT (1: 30 PM ET) and the men's qualifiers moved to 09: 30 GMT (4: 30 AM ET) on the rescheduled day, coaches and athletes will need to adapt routines and recovery plans around the new timetable.
Atkin’s top qualifying position grants her the tactical advantage of dropping last in the final, offering the chance to see opponents’ runs before deciding how to structure a medal-winning approach. For gus kenworthy and other male competitors, the priority will be putting a clean, high-scoring run together in the earlier session to secure a berth in the final round.
Key takeaways and outlook
- Zoe Atkin enters the women's halfpipe final as the top qualifier with a score of 91. 50 and will have the advantage of dropping last in the final.
- gus kenworthy is on the start list for men's qualifiers that were postponed due to heavy snow; the session is rescheduled for 09: 30 GMT (4: 30 AM ET).
- The day’s qualifying action included crashes that affected key contenders, emphasising the unpredictable nature of halfpipe competition.
Recent schedule changes and the mix of strong performances and dramatic crashes have intensified attention on the upcoming finals. Athletes, including gus kenworthy, will face the immediate task of adjusting to the new timetable while preparing for high-pressure runs that could decide Olympic medals.
Schedule subject to change as event organizers respond to weather and operational conditions.
