Alex Ferreira Claims Gold in Thrilling 2026 Olympic Halfpipe Final

All Images: Courtesy of U.S. Ski Team | Skier: Alex Ferreira

Alex Ferreira came into the 2026 Olympic halfpipe final carrying a lifetime of perseverance, a journey defined by setbacks and the pursuit of gold. From the opening drop to the final score, this Olympic final reminded everyone that greatness in the halfpipe is built on years of preparation, the ability to overcome adversity, and the courage to push limits when it matters most. The final was a showcase of skill, courage, and perseverance, where creativity and flawless execution combined to produce one of the most nail-biting halfpipe finals in Olympic history.

Everyone sees Alex Ferreria as the halfpipe machine he is today, but not many understand what this podium means behind the scenes. As a child, Ferreira was the smallest of his peers, yet through sheer determination, he grew into one of the most formidable freeski athletes in the world. From winning silver in 2018 at freeskiing’s Olympic debut to finishing sixth in 2022, he arrived in Livigno ready to seize his moment. His coach, Elana Chase, has been by his side since he was ten and guiding champions from Torin Yater-Wallace to Jen Hudak, and now stood in his corner as history waited to be made.

The first run of the final was a battle of the minds. Two-thirds of the athletes fell at the bottom of the pipe as nerves flooded the field. McKay struggled, Birk Irving could not put a clean run together, and Gus Kenworthy faltered early. Brendan Mackay of Canada and Nick Goepper of the United States managed to stay on their skis, setting the tone after the first hits, but the pressure of the Olympic stage made the opening round a throwaway for most of the field.

Run two marked the beginning of real competition. Canada’s Dylan Marineau debuted a new variation, linking a 360 into a 900 on his first hit, but fell. Meanwhile, Ferreira, Henry Sildaru of Estonia, and Goepper executed runs that would set the pace for the rest of the competition. Sildaru’s alley-oop flat 1080 tail grab drew admiration across the freeskiing community, paying homage to Simon Dumont. His skiing was immaculate, maintaining perfect flow from wall to wall and carrying smooth amplitude that made his run seem effortless. Ferreira’s run was textbook, loaded with switch doubles, mirrored 1620s, and precise grabs that created a performance that looked like a blueprint for earning gold.

Skier: Hunter Hess

By the third run, the stakes could not have been higher. This was the halfpipe final we had hoped for after a lackluster qualifier in flat light and snow. Kenworthy fell early, while Ferreira stamped his lifetime of work into a run, bleeding with determination and doubles on every hit, replacing his 720 with a double 1080. He then waited at the bottom as Goepper and Mackay were left to drop. Goepper, holding a podium position, attempted a never-before-seen double bone flip 1260 and crashed violently, a reminder of the inherent danger of halfpipe skiing. His fall echoed the horrors seen earlier in qualifiers with Finley Melville-Ives’ horrifying crash. Goepper whispered at the bottom about another Olympics as a 35-year-old, and the tension was palpable as the field watched Brendan Mackay prepare for his final run, which could threaten Goepper’s podium. 

All eyes turned to Mackay, sitting outside the medals in tenth place. His coach, Trennon Paytner, who has guided everyone from Sarah Burke to Justin Dorey, fist-bumped him and sent him on his way. Mackay went massive, landing mirrored double 1620s and an alley-oop 540 over 20 feet out on his final hit, a run that brought flashbacks to Dave Crichton’s legendary alley-oop 540 at WSI in 2004. Mackay went for broke, climbing into third place and securing a well-earned bronze medal.

The podium reflected excellent judging in one of the most exciting halfpipe competitions since Tanner Hall battled Simon Dumont in X Games. Ferreira of the United States earned gold, Sildaru of Estonia took silver, and Mackay of Canada claimed bronze in one of the best halfpipe competitions in freeskiing history.