Hirano is the reigning gold medalist in the event. He also took back-to-back silvers in 2014 and 2018. He can't be completely counted out of the medal race either. He won the first halfpipe event on the FIS World Cup circuit this season.

In the halfpipe, it felt like the American men were outgunned from the start, and especially by the riders from Japan.

Snowboarding medal events continue at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday, Feb. 13, with the women’s cross final and men’s halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park.

The men’s snowboard big air final takes the spotlight Saturday, with riders launching off massive jumps as medals are decided in the trick-based event.

Choi Gaon is Chloe Kim's protégé. The 17-year-old's Olympic success made the American great feel like a "proud mom."

DNI means: Did Not Improve. It comes into play in any event that has multiple runs without counting all the scores. For example, the Big Air competitions in Olympic skiing and snowboarding include three downhill runs for every competitor. Of those three runs in Big Air, though, only two scores count.

Scotty James, Ayumu Hirano and Cam Melville Ives are among the names to know as men's snowboard halfpipe commences with the qualifying round on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Shaun White became a household name 20 years ago in Italy at the Olympics. Now, the snowboarding legend has a confession.