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American Alex Ferreira won a gold medal Friday in the men’s freestyle halfpipe in Olympic freestyle skiing at Livigno Snow Park.
Ferreira, 31, scored 93.75 on his final run and narrowly edged out Estonian Henry Sildaru, who scored 93.00, to secure the top spot on the podium for the first time in his career. Canadian Brendan Mackay won the bronze medal with a score of 91.00 on his final run to knock American Nick Goepper off the podium.
Ferreira won a silver medal in this event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Colorado native said these Olympics will likely be his last, according to Olympics.com.
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Alex Ferreira of Team USA competes in the second round of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
He will now return home with his first ever gold medal.
Ferreira has achieved 16 World Cup podiums and won seven X Games medals. In 2023-2024, he won every competition he entered and became the first halfpipe skier to have a perfect season.
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Alex Ferreira of Team USA competes in the second round of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ferreira was almost joined by Goepper on the podium, but Goepper’s quest for a medal was cut short after a heartbreaking fall, giving Mackay a chance to reach the podium.
Goepper finished fourth and American Birk Irving fifth.
Alex Ferreira of Team USA reacts after competing in the third round of the men’s freeski halfpipe final on day 14 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
American Hunter Hess, who was criticized by President Donald Trump following Hess’ controversial remarks about the United States’ representation at the Olympics under the current administration, failed to place and finished 10th.
Ferreira’s gold medal was the 10th for the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympics, tying the American Winter Olympics record for most gold medals won. The United States won 10 gold medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
