Alex Ferreira of the United States has secured the gold medal in the men's freeski halfpipe at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The final, held in Livigno, saw a high number of errors from competitors, but Ferreira's consistent performance, particularly on his third and final run, earned him the top spot. This victory marks the completion of Ferreira's Olympic medal collection, adding gold to his previous silver and bronze.
Competitive Field and Performance
The men's freeski halfpipe final took place on February 20, 2026, at the Livigno Snow Park. While the original schedule indicated a competition over two days, adverse weather conditions led to the qualification and final rounds being held on February 20th. Twenty-five athletes from 12 nations participated.
Alex Ferreira's winning score was 93.75. This score was achieved on his third and final run.
Henry Sildaru of Estonia secured the silver medal with a score of 93.00. This was his country's first medal of the Milan-Cortina Games.
The podium was completed by Nick Goepper of the United States, who took bronze.
The competition was marked by a significant number of athletes struggling to land clean runs, a factor that likely influenced the final standings. Several top competitors, including Ferreira, achieved their best scores on their final attempt, showcasing resilience under pressure.
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Key Competitors and Previous Outcomes
The field included notable athletes, with the absence of the 2022 Olympic champion Nico Porteous, who had retired.
Alex Ferreira (USA) was a strong contender, aiming to upgrade his previous silver and bronze medals. He had qualified for the final, with his best qualification run scoring 85.75.
Henry Sildaru (Estonia) emerged as a surprise challenger, achieving the silver medal. He had qualified with a score of 88.00.
Nick Goepper (USA), a previous medalist, secured the bronze. His qualification score was 90.00.
Other notable participants included Hunter Hess (USA) and Birk Irving (USA).
Medal Standings and Records
The United States secured a gold and a bronze medal in this event. In the broader context of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Norway continued to lead the medal count, accumulating a significant number of gold and total medals. As of the latest reports, Norway had 17 gold medals and 37 total medals, positioning them at the top of the medal table.
Broader Olympic Context and Broadcast
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are being broadcast globally through various media rights holders. For viewers in the United States, NBC Olympics and Peacock provided coverage. In other regions, broadcasters like Warner Bros Discovery, BBC Sport, and national networks ensured extensive reach for the event. The Olympic Channel also offered additional coverage in selected areas.
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Conclusion
Alex Ferreira's gold medal in the freeski halfpipe is a significant achievement, marking a personal milestone in his Olympic career. The event showcased both high-level athletic performance and the inherent challenges of competition, particularly under variable conditions. Henry Sildaru's silver medal represents a historic achievement for Estonia. The ongoing medal count indicates a strong performance from Norway across various disciplines in these Winter Games.
Sources Used:
France24: Article on Alex Ferreira's win, published 20 hours ago. Provides details of the final run and Ferreira's medal history.🔗 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260220-us-freestyle-skier-ferreira-wins-olympic-halfpipe-gold
Heavy.com: Article on the February 20th medal count, highlighting Norway's lead and mentioning Ferreira's gold. Published 20 hours ago.🔗 https://heavy.com/sports/olympics/medal-count-today-winter-olympics/
Olympics.com: Schedule for Freestyle Skiing Men's Freeski Halfpipe and a news piece on the event, providing context on past champions and broadcasters.🔗 https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/frs/m/hp🔗 https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/freestyle-skiing-at-winter-olympics-2026-men-s-halfpipe-showdown-featuring-finley-melville-ives-alex-ferreira-and-nick-goepper-full-schedule-and-how-to-watch-live
Wikipedia: Detailed results and background information on the Freestyle Skiing Men's Halfpipe event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freestyleskiingatthe2026WinterOlympics%E2%80%93Men%27shalfpipe