The women’s snowboard halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics promises a high-flying showdown as the world’s top riders compete for Olympic gold on Thursday at Big Air Shougang in Milano‑Cortina.

The Olympics, more than any other sporting event, has a way of anointing young stars quickly.

Seventeen-year-old Choi Gaon took gold with a sparkling 90.25 on her final run, stunning the two-time defending champion, who mentored Gaon leading up to the Games.