Is Snowboarding Korea’s Only Hope? Choi Ga-on and Chaeun Lee Both Reach the Final [2026 Milan]

[Financial News] As the Korean delegation at the 2026 Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics went two straight days without a medal, a welcome piece of hopeful news arrived from snowboarding. Snowboarding prodigy Choi Ga-on of Sehwa Girls' High School and Chaeun Lee of Kyung Hee University both reached the halfpipe final, boosting Korea’s chances of winning a medal.
On the 11th (local time) at Livigno Snowpark in Italy, strong gold-medal contender Choi Ga-on scored 82.25 points in the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifying. She finished sixth out of 24 riders and advanced to the final, where the top 12 compete for medals.

Choi’s skill shone from her very first run. She opened with the high-difficulty trick known as a switch backside seven, launching in her opposite stance and spinning twice in the air. She then cleanly landed a variety of aerial maneuvers, firmly impressing the judges. In her second run she attempted an even more difficult routine and made a mistake on the final landing, but her first-run score alone was more than enough to secure a place in the final.
Choi’s biggest rival, snowboard queen Chloe Kim of the United States, who is chasing a third straight Olympic title, topped qualifying with 90.25 points and showed she remains the one to beat. Choi is set to face Chloe Kim for the gold medal in the final on the 13th.

In the men’s halfpipe qualifying held at the same venue, leading Korean rider Chaeun Lee scored 82 points and clinched a spot in the final by placing ninth overall. In his first run, he perfectly executed back-to-back four-rotation tricks, gaining momentum and confidence.
This is the first time in history that a Korean athlete has reached the final in an Olympic snowboard halfpipe event.
In snow events that were once virtually barren ground for Korea, the nation’s snowboarders are now writing a new chapter of history.
After two days without any medals, the Korean team is looking to turn the tide on the strength of these two riders’ performances. Choi Ga-on will go for a medal on the 13th, followed by Chaeun Lee on the 14th. The entire nation is watching to see whether their golden runs on the snow will take flight.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter