Alex Ferreira wins Olympic halfpipe gold after dramatic night in Livigno
alex ferreira captured the men's freeski halfpipe gold Friday at Livigno Snow Park, finishing the final with a 93. 75 total and handing the United States its first win in two weeks of pipe, slopestyle and big air competition at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Alex Ferreira stood atop the podium in Livigno
Alex Ferreira, 31, sealed the victory in a tightly fought final that left the crowd at Livigno Snow Park roaring. Ferreira added Olympic gold to the silver and bronze he won at the previous two Games, a feat his mother called "finish the rainbow, " and celebrated with teammates and competitors at the medal area after Brendan Mackay of Canada finished third.
Nick Goepper's final-run crash shook the field
Nick Goepper, 35, — who entered the night in the bronze-medal position — crashed on his last run when he came down hard on the halfpipe ledge and lay on the snow for several minutes; medical staff appeared prepared to carry him off, but he rose, flashed a thumbs-up, and walked away, saying, "I have no regrets. " Goepper had previously earned Olympic medals in Sochi, Pyeongchang and Beijing but had not won gold.
A close finish: scores, rivals and celebrations
The podium ended with Henry Sildaru of Estonia in second and Mackay third; Mackay's final mark of 91 left him 2. 75 points behind Ferreira's 93. 75. Bedlam and tears broke out in the stands when Mackay completed his last run and fell short by that margin, and two-time Olympic titlist David Wise and teammate Nick Goepper were among those who embraced Ferreira at the medal stand.
Ferreira, known off the hill for dressing as a character called "Hotdog Hans" and for his work in Aspen, Colorado, smiled through the celebration. When asked how he would toast the moment, he said he would "drink copious amounts of beer, " a reply that capped a night of tight competition at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 20.
The win gave the U. S. a gold in men's freeski halfpipe on the final day of competition in Livigno; the event produced dramatic crashes and clutch runs and concluded with Ferreira's top score of 93. 75. The Games continue, and Ferreira said his immediate plan was to celebrate with teammates and supporters.
