LIVIGNO, Italy — In a high-stakes finale at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, China’s Eileen Gu successfully defended her Olympic title in the women’s freeski halfpipe on Sunday, 22 February 2026. The victory marks Gu’s third career Olympic gold and her sixth medal in six Olympic events, further cementing her status as the most dominant force in freestyle skiing.
The final, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed to Sunday morning due to heavy snow and visibility issues in the Italian Alps. Despite the delay and the pressure of the closing day of the Games, Gu delivered a sparkling performance, taking the lead in her second run and holding off a strong international field.
For Team Canada, the day was marked by both resilience and heartbreak. Amy Fraser narrowly missed the podium, finishing in 4th place with a strong showing. Fellow Canadian Rachael Karker finished 7th overall. However, the Canadian contingent was notably missing two-time Olympic medallist Cassie Sharpe. After a frightening crash during Thursday’s qualification—where she still managed to qualify third—Sharpe was not medically cleared to compete in today’s final due to her injuries.
MILANO CORTINA 2026: WOMEN’S FREESKI HALFPIPE RESULTS
| Placement | Athlete | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOLD | Eileen Gu | China | Second consecutive halfpipe gold |
| SILVER | Li Fanghui | China | Secures a 1-2 finish for China |
| BRONZE | Zoe Atkin | Great Britain | Led after the first run; GB’s 5th medal |
| 4th | Amy Fraser | Canada | Top Canadian finisher |
Competition Highlights
- Gu’s Dominance: Gu entered the final having already secured two silver medals earlier in these Games. Her gold today brings her total to three medals for the 2026 Games.
- British Success: Zoe Atkin’s bronze medal equals Great Britain’s best-ever total medal haul at a Winter Olympics.
- American Results: Team USA’s Kate Gray led the American squad with a 10th-place finish, as the team struggled to find the podium in the challenging Livigno conditions.
- Safety First: The postponement of the event highlighted the inherent dangers of halfpipe skiing. Officials noted that the “persistent heavy snow” made it impossible to prepare the pipe to a safe standard on Saturday.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Games draw to a close with the Closing Ceremony later today, Eileen Gu’s performance stands as one of the defining moments of the fortnight. For Canada, while the podium remained out of reach in this specific event, the grit shown by Fraser and the recovery of Sharpe remain central stories for the national team heading into the next quadrennial.
Reporting by Canada Wire Editorial Staff
Published: 22 February 2026