Chloe Kim wins back-to-back Olympic gold medals in halfpipe

Chloe Kim soared above the competition Thursday, taking home gold in the halfpipe to defend her 2018 Olympic title.

The American snowboarder landed two 1080s on her first run, earning a gold-medal sealing score of 94. Kim’s closest competitor sat nearly four points behind her, with Spain’s Queralt Castellet clinching silver and Sena Tomita of Japan capturing bronze.

Relive the gold medal-winning run from @ChloeKim! #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/EP7RnV2qxf

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 10, 2022

Dropping to her knees in relief after her first run, Kim admitted she had “the worst practice of my life” just before Thursday’s final.

With her place at the top of the podium secured after her opening run, Kim used her second and third runs to push the boundaries of the sport, attempting a 1260, a trick no woman has landed in competition. Though she fell on both attempts, Kim said after the event, “I’m super proud of myself for going out and trying to do it.”

Kim’s gold in Beijing makes her the first woman in Olympic history to win two snowboard gold medals in the halfpipe.

“I was dealing with all sorts of emotions, but I reminded myself I just have to land one run, and I was so happy to do that,” Kim told NBC following the final.