Gus Kenworthy Reaches Freeski Halfpipe Final at 2026 Olympics on February 20th

Gus Kenworthy will compete in the freeski halfpipe final on February 20th at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is a big chance for a medal for Great Britain.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Olympic Day 14 Sees British Hope and Norwegian Dominance

The 2026 Winter Olympics, currently underway in Milano Cortina, experienced a notable Day 14 on February 20th. Gus Kenworthy, representing Team GB, successfully qualified for the men's freeski halfpipe final, offering a chance for a British medal. Simultaneously, Norway continued its exceptional performance, breaking records for gold medal wins. Other events included significant developments in ice hockey and curling.

Winter Olympics 2026: Brit Kenworthy in freeski halfpipe final, Norway break record for golds and more – live - 1

Context of the Games and Key Events

The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in Milano Cortina, are scheduled to run from February 6th to February 22nd. The events covered in this report took place on Day 14, Friday, February 20th, with specific focus on the men's freeski halfpipe. This event is part of the broader freestyle skiing discipline, which has seen intense competition.

Winter Olympics 2026: Brit Kenworthy in freeski halfpipe final, Norway break record for golds and more – live - 2

  • Men's Freeski Halfpipe: The qualification round for the men's freeski halfpipe was held on February 20th, with the top 12 athletes advancing to the medal round. This event was initially scheduled for February 19th-20th but was adjusted due to weather conditions.

  • Norwegian Success: Reports indicate that Norway has achieved a record number of gold medals during these Games, showcasing their athletic prowess across various winter sports.

  • Other Disciplines: While the freeski halfpipe was a highlight for Britain, other sports were also in action. Finland's ice hockey team featured a strong goaltending performance from Saros, and the curling events were progressing towards their medal matches.

Evidence of Kenworthy's Progress

Gus Kenworthy's advancement to the men's freeski halfpipe final is a key development for Team GB.

Winter Olympics 2026: Brit Kenworthy in freeski halfpipe final, Norway break record for golds and more – live - 3

  • Qualification Confirmed: Multiple sources confirm Kenworthy's presence in the final. One report explicitly states, "Team GB's Kenworthy makes it to freeski halfpipe final" and that he "qualifies for the men's freeski halfpipe final."

  • Performance Data: Wikipedia's data for the men's freeski halfpipe qualification lists Gus Kenworthy from Great Britain with a best score of 81.25 in Run 1, qualifying him in 9th position. Another entry on the same page shows his final rank as 9th with a score of 6.00 in Run 3. This implies his qualification was secured based on an earlier run.

  • Event Timing: The men's freeski halfpipe final was scheduled for 18:30-20:20 on February 20th.

Norway's Record-Breaking Performance

While specific details on individual Norwegian athletes were not detailed in the provided summaries, the overarching achievement of a new gold medal record for Norway was highlighted.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Brit Kenworthy in freeski halfpipe final, Norway break record for golds and more – live - 4

  • Record Achievement: The initial report states, "Norway break record for golds". This signifies a significant national achievement within the context of the Winter Olympics.

  • Broader Olympic Context: Norway's success contributes to the overall narrative of the 2026 Winter Games, underscoring their historical strength in winter sports.

The Freeski Halfpipe Field

The men's freeski halfpipe event featured a competitive field of 25 athletes from 12 nations.

  • Top Qualifiers: Brendan Mackay of Canada secured the top qualifying spot with a score of 92.75. Nick Goepper and Alex Ferreira of the United States also qualified strongly, with Ferreira being a previous medalist.

  • Field Depth: The qualification list shows a range of scores, indicating varying levels of performance among the competitors. Athletes from countries like the United States, Canada, Estonia, China, and South Korea were among those advancing.

  • Impact of Weather: Adverse weather conditions on February 20th caused a delay in the qualification round for the men's halfpipe, shifting it to that day and impacting its scheduling.

Athlete Backgrounds and Previous Achievements

Gus Kenworthy is not a new entrant to the Olympic stage. His history includes previous Olympic appearances and successes.

  • Olympic Experience: Kenworthy is noted as a "Sochi silver medallist". This indicates a past achievement at the Olympic Winter Games, lending weight to his current hopes for Team GB.

  • Broader Competition History: His athlete profile on olympics.com lists participation in various World Championships and World Cup events in both slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines, dating back to events in 2015. This shows a sustained career in the sport.

Analysis of Competitive Landscape

The men's freeski halfpipe competition presents a diverse group of athletes with varied track records.

  • Dominant Nations: The United States appears to have a strong presence in the halfpipe discipline, with multiple athletes qualifying for the finals. Canada also demonstrated competitive depth.

  • Shifting Power: With the retirement of the 2022 champion Nico Porteous, the field has opened up, allowing for new contenders to emerge and established athletes like Alex Ferreira to potentially improve their standings.

Conclusion and Outlook

Day 14 of the 2026 Winter Olympics saw Gus Kenworthy achieve a significant milestone by reaching the men's freeski halfpipe final, providing a strong prospect for a medal for Great Britain. This occurred alongside Norway setting a new benchmark for gold medals won at these Games. The competitive nature of the freeski halfpipe, with athletes from various nations vying for top positions, suggests a compelling final event. Further observation of the medal events and ongoing competitions will clarify the final standings for Norway's record and Kenworthy's performance.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Gus Kenworthy qualify for the freeski halfpipe final on February 20th?
Yes, Gus Kenworthy from Team GB qualified for the men's freeski halfpipe final on February 20th at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. He finished in 9th place during the qualification round.
Q: What was Norway's achievement on February 20th at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
On February 20th, Norway broke their own record for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics. This shows their strong performance across many sports.
Q: Who else did well in the men's freeski halfpipe qualification on February 20th?
Brendan Mackay of Canada was the top qualifier with a score of 92.75. Athletes from the United States, like Alex Ferreira, also qualified strongly for the final.
Q: Why was the freeski halfpipe event schedule changed?
The men's freeski halfpipe qualification round was moved to February 20th due to bad weather conditions. This meant the final was also scheduled for that day.
Q: What is Gus Kenworthy's past Olympic achievement?
Gus Kenworthy is a former Olympic silver medalist, having won his medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics. This experience helps him in his current competition for Team GB.