Australian snowboarder Scotty James topped the qualifying scores in the Olympic halfpipe event, positioning himself for a gold medal in his fifth Games. Defending champion Ayumu Hirano also advanced to the final.
In the snowboard halfpipe qualifying at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the Alpine town of Livigno, Italy, 31-year-old Australian Scotty James scored 94 points on his first run to lead the field into Friday's final. James, who won silver in Beijing four years ago and bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018, is seeking gold in his fifth Olympic appearance.
Defending champion Ayumu Hirano also qualified, along with Yuto Totsuka and Ryusei Yamada. The Wednesday night session featured James executing soaring spins and smooth landings that impressed spectators.
The competition highlights the skills of international athletes in this dynamic discipline.
