The injury scare now seems like a blip for Chloe Kim.
On Wednesday morning, the American snowboarder put down a stunning first run in the qualifying rounds of the women’s halfpipe that landed a leading score of 90.25 despite suffering a torn labrum a month ago.
The 25-year-old dislocated her shoulder while training in Switzerland, which put her participation in the Milan Cortina Games into question. Days after the fall, Kim learned she tore the labrum in her left shoulder but announced she would be good to go for the Winter Games.
Chloe Kim of Team United States reacts after competing in run one of the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Qualification on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 11, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. Getty Images
“I feel good. Happy to be here,” Kim said to Olympics.com. “There is definitely a lot of pressure, but I do think that the Olympics are so special because we have so much support globally.”
If Monday serves as a preview, Kim has some wiggle room against her competition.
Chloe Kim of the United States during women’s snowboard halfpipe qualification during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesShe finished ahead of Japan’s Shimizu Sara (87.50) and U.S. teammate Maddie Mastro (86.00) to round out the top three. Fellow American Bea Kim (no relation) also qualified after a 10th-place score (76.75).
During the qualifying rounds, Shaun White was in attendance at Livigno Snow Park to watch Kim’s quest to match his legacy that included three Olympic halfpipe gold medals.
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Kim’s boyfriend and the NFL’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, was also on the scene, taking photos of his girlfriend on the big day.
Garrett traveled to Milan to support Kim this week and told People he’s “just trying to be her rock” while at the Games “because throughout the year she’s mine.”
Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, left, and United States’ Chloe Kim smile after the women’s snowboarding halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. APThe two have been romantically linked since May 2025 and later confirmed their relationship status when seen sharing a kiss on the sideline before the Browns’ 24-10 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23.
