Cassie Sharpe Misses Postponed Women’s Halfpipe Final
The final event of the women’s halfpipe competition in freestyle skiing at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, held in Livigno, has been postponed. Initially scheduled for Saturday evening, the final is now set for Sunday morning.
Reasons for Postponement
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced the decision due to persistent snowfall. The conditions were deemed unsafe for both athletes and fair competition. Specific timing details for Sunday have not yet been released.
Cassie Sharpe’s Withdrawal
Canadian athlete Cassie Sharpe will be absent from the final. The gold medalist from the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics suffered a serious fall during qualifications. She struggled to land properly and appeared to hit her head on the ground.
In a social media video, Sharpe explained, “It’s simply too dangerous for me to ski. I also do not have medical clearance to do so. It’s the right decision, though difficult to accept. Sometimes, health and family come before sports, even at the Olympics.”
Other Competitors
The women’s halfpipe final will feature strong contenders. Notable among them is Chinese skier Eileen Gu, aiming for her fourth medal at these Games. Having become the first freestyle skier to win three medals in a single Olympics at Beijing, Gu has a chance to secure her spot in history.
- Eileen Gu – Competes in halfpipe; seeking to add to her medal tally.
- Rachael Karker – Bronze medalist at Beijing; resides in Calgary with fiancé Brendan Mackay.
- Amy Fraser – Finished eighth at the previous Olympics.
Background Information
Brendan Mackay, another Canadian athlete, won the bronze medal in the men’s final earlier this week. The overall atmosphere has been tense as athletes express frustration over poor conditions.
As the competition dates draw closer, all eyes will be on the halfpipe final and the resilience of the athletes participating in it. This event marks a significant moment in the 2026 Winter Olympics journey.
