SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Korea made Olympic history in snowboard halfpipe as Choi Ga-on and Lee Chae-un both advanced to the finals in the qualification rounds at the XXV Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Competing at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Choi placed sixth overall in the women’s qualification among 24 riders, earning 82.25 points in her opening run to rank third at one stage. The 17-year-old executed a 4.2-meter aerial during her routine. The event was topped by Chloe Kim of the United States with 90.25 points, followed by Japan’s Sara Shimizu with 87.50 and Maddie Mastro of the United States with 86.00. The top 12 riders progressed to the final.
In the men’s qualification, Lee Chae-un secured ninth place among 25 competitors with 82.00 points in his first run, comfortably inside the top 12 cutoff. His routine featured five successful jumps, including a backside double cork 1080. Australia’s Scotty James led the field with 90.25 points, while Japan’s Totsuka Yuto posted 91.25 and Yamada Ryusei recorded 90.25. It marks the first time South Korean snowboarders have reached an Olympic halfpipe final in both the men’s and women’s events.
In speed skating, China’s Ning Zhongyan claimed bronze in the men’s 1,000 meters with a time of 1:07.34. Jordan Stolz of the United States won gold with 1:06.28, followed by Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands in 1:06.78. During the race, China’s Lian Ziwen was disqualified for obstructive driving after a lane-change collision. Under speed skating regulations, priority is given to the skater moving from the outer lane to the inner lane, and officials ruled that Lian hindered a rival.
Korea’s speed skater Koo Kyung-min finished 10th in the same event with a time of 1:08.53. In biathlon, Ekaterina Avvakumova placed 63rd in the women’s 15km individual with a time of 47:18.2. In freestyle skiing, Yoon Shin-yi concluded 24th in women’s moguls qualification round two with 64.46 points after scoring 59.4 in the first round.
Japan added to its medal tally in ski jumping, earning bronze in the mixed team event at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. The quartet of Maruyama, Kobayashi, Takanashi and Nikaido combined for 1,034.0 points. Slovenia secured gold with 1,069.2, while Norway took silver with 1,038.3.
Norway remained atop the overall standings as of 11:00 a.m. KST on February 11. Among Asian delegations, Japan ranked ninth with two gold, two silver and four bronze medals. China stood 14th with one silver and two bronze, while South Korea followed in 15th place with one silver and one bronze.
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