Alex Ferreira Wins Gold as Teammate Nick Goepper’s Olympic Run Ends in Terrifying Crash
alex ferreira claimed the Olympic freeski halfpipe gold at Livigno while teammate Nick Goepper’s bid for a medal ended in a frightening crash on the final run, an evening that mixed triumph and alarm for the U. S. men’s team.
Alex Ferreira delivers gold at Livigno
Alex Ferreira took the top spot in the men’s freeski halfpipe final, finishing with a winning score of 93. 75. The victory made him a three-time Olympic medalist. The result underscored his consistency and placed him atop a podium that also featured tight margins between medalists.
alex ferreira’s gold arrived amid high drama: a teammate’s crash and a late challenge from other competitors kept the contest in doubt until the final runs. Ferreira described the competition as pushed to the edge, and his score held up against strong attempts from several rivals.
Nick Goepper crash, near-podium finish and injury update
Nick Goepper entered his final run sitting in the bronze medal position and attempted a trick that had not been performed in competition before. He landed successful jumps through the session until his fifth and final leap, where he failed to get sufficient height and struck the halfpipe ledge hard. His back slammed against the lip, his skis popped off, and he slid down the side of the pipe.
Goepper lay on the snow for several minutes while medical staff attended him and appeared ready to place him on a stretcher. He ultimately rose to his feet, gave a thumbs-up, smiled, and walked off under his own power. He later skipped post-race interviews to seek medical attention. U. S. Ski and Snowboard officials had no official injury update late in the evening.
Podium shuffle: scores and final placements
- Gold: Alex Ferreira — 93. 75
- Bronze: Canada’s Brendan MacKay — 91
- Nick Goepper — 89 (fourth place after final run)
The final run reshaped the podium when Canada’s Brendan MacKay produced his best score of the night to move into bronze and push Goepper off the podium. Goepper, who has earned three Olympic medals in prior Games, had switched events in recent years and arrived at these Games with a renewed competitive approach. He attempted a highly difficult switch double misty on his last run, a trick that had not been performed in competition before as noted during event coverage.
Implications and next steps for the U. S. freeski team
The night offered contrasting takeaways: a gold for Alex Ferreira and an urgent health situation for a close teammate. Team physicians and event medical staff were involved immediately after the crash, and the athlete’s decision to forgo interviews to receive attention reflected the need for careful follow-up. Details about the extent of any injury may evolve as medical assessments continue.
Looking ahead, the results will influence training and selection conversations for upcoming events, and the U. S. team will monitor athlete recovery closely. For now, alex ferreira’s gold stands as a major achievement at the Livigno Snow Park, while Goepper’s condition remains a developing matter with medical staff and team officials expected to provide updates when available.
