Grondin goes for gold, Kim shouldering three-peat expectations

Four years is a long time to wait to carve out a different ending, especially when 0.02 seconds was what separated Eliot Grondin (CAN) from Snowboard Cross gold at Beijing 2022.

But the moment has arrived, with Men’s Snowboard Cross getting underway at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 today.

The Beijing 2022 silver medalist will look to win the elusive gold to complete his Olympic set, having taken Mixed Team Snowboard Cross bronze at the Games in China. Should Grondin be successful in his bid for Milano Cortina gold, the medal would be the crown jewel of a trophy case that also includes Engadin 2025 World Championships gold and the 2024/25 Snowboard Cross Crystal Globe.

Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT), the man who pipped him to the finish line at Genting Snow Park, could yet stand in his way. The defending Olympic champion has remained a contender since his Beijing 2022 win, with his latest clutch performance coming last season with a bronze medal finish at the 2025 World Championships.

Beijing 2022 bronze medalist Omar Visintin (ITA) is also among the 32-strong field, with seeding runs from 10:00 CET, before the 1/8 finals from 13:45 and finals from 14:56.

Adam Lambert (AUS) currently sits atop the 2025/26 SBX World Cup rankings, inserting himself into the Olympic favourite conversation after amassing three World Cup podium finishes this season - including victory at Dongbeiya last month.

Compatriot James Johnstone (AUS), who recorded his best Snowboard Cross World Cup finish of 24th in Dongbeiya, gets a surprise start in Livigno after replacing injured Cameron Bolton (AUS). Two of Bolton’s nine Snowboard Cross World Cup podium finishes were achieved in Italy but he suffered a neck fracture during training and had to withdraw from the Games.

All eyes on Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe final

After an injury setback just a few weeks ago when she suffered a labrum tear from a crash while training in Switzerland, two-time reigning Olympic Halfpipe champion Chloe Kim (USA) was back in the bib and seemingly no worse for the wear in Wednesday’s women’s qualifications at the Livigno Snow Park, where she topped qualification with a 90.25-point first run to close in on a historic three-peat.

No other snowboarder in Olympic history has won three-straight gold medals, and while the Milano Cortina 2026 Games started out with three athletes capable of achieving the feat, after Ester Ledecka (CZE) and Anna Gasser (AUT) were unsuccessful in their bids, Kim remains the final hope for the historic feat.

On Wednesday, Kim was the only competitor in the 24-strong field to break 90 points, with her nearest rival, 16-year-old Sara Shimizu (JPN), posting a 87.50, while Kim’s compatriot Maddie Mastro (USA) qualified third with 86.00 points.

Of the top 12 women progressing to this evening's final at 19:30, also in the mix is Choi Gaon (KOR), with the 17-year-old 2025/26 Halfpipe World Cup leader putting down a score of 82.25 points on her first run.

The tricks from Kim’s unassailable first run included a backside 720 Indy grab on the first hit, into a switch backside air, then a a lofty switch frontside 1080, a frontside 900 tail grab, and finally a McTwist Indy to cap things off.

“That was a six out of 10, and we’re going for a 10 tomorrow,” Kim told Olympics.com.

She declined to reveal her agenda for the final so as not to “ruin the fun,” but admitted that she will need surgery after the Games.

Not even Shaun White (USA), has won back-to-back-to-back Olympic gold medals. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest snowboarder of all time, was at Livigno Snow Park on Wednesday to cheer Kim on and he liked what he saw.

“I can't tell that she's injured. It doesn't look like it's bothering her. I'm sure it's in the back of her mind a little bit,” White said. "I think she took the right call by taking some time off. You can see her riding right on par.”