46 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Alex Ferreira Chases Final Prize in Freeski Halfpipe
With the wind howling and temperatures biting this past weekend, Copper Mountain put the world’s best freeskiers to the test. But for Alex Ferreira, it was just another chance to prove why he’s still the king of the halfpipe.
While many competitors struggled in tough conditions, Ferreira stayed composed and delivered when it counted. Kicking off his season in style, the Aspen native claimed a big win at the U.S. Grand Prix. It wasn’t an easy victory, though. After the first round, Ferreira sat in fourth place, a rare position for someone who dominated last season with seven straight wins.
Ferreira Shows Grit
But freeski halfpipe champions know how to rise under pressure. On his second run, Ferreira nailed a near-perfect routine, featuring a switch right double 1080, a left double 1260, and more technical brilliance. The judges rewarded his precision and creativity with a 91.50, launching him to the top spot and bumping teammate Hunter Hess to second.
“Honestly, I had a couple of bobbles on my first run,” Ferreira admitted afterward. “But forget the result — I wanted to land a great run for myself, grab everything, and really earn it. I feel like I did that, and I’m so, so grateful.”
With this win, Ferreira extended his World Cup podium streak to an incredible 12 consecutive events. Since the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he hasn’t finished lower than fourth in competition — a level of consistency that’s nearly unheard of in such a high-stakes, high-risk sport.
Hunter Hess Steps Up
While Ferreira took gold, the day was also a major success for Hunter Hess. Fighting for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, Hess delivered a standout performance. As the last competitor to drop into the pipe, he knew he needed something big to challenge Ferreira’s score. His run, capped off with a massive left misty 720, earned an 89.00 and the silver medal. A slight missed grab likely cost him the top spot, but the result was still a significant step forward.
For Hess, it wasn’t just about the medal, it was about proving himself. Among the skiers still battling for an Olympic spot, Hess was the only one to hit the podium at Copper Mountain. Paired with his third-place finish at last week’s selection event, Hess now leads the World Cup points race and looks like a frontrunner for the Olympic team.
Canada’s Andrew Longino rounded out the podium in third with a score of 84.00.
Eyes on Milan Cortina 2026
Copper Mountain was the second of four key selection events for the U.S. Olympic freeski halfpipe team, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The circuit takes a short break before heading to Calgary on January 1.
For Alex Ferreira:
The pressure is off. Thanks to a dominant 2024-25 season, he’s already locked in for the Milan Cortina Games. With one goal left, an Olympic gold medal, Ferreira is going all-in for his Olympic appearance.
For Hunter Hess:
The path is clear but competitive. With Ferreira qualified, there are three spots left for the men’s halfpipe team. To make the cut, skiers must finish in the top three at a selection event.
Hess has now done this twice in a row, firmly establishing himself as a top contender. Veteran Olympians like David Wise, Aaron Blunck, and Nick Goepper, meanwhile, struggled to land clean runs at Copper and have ground to make up.
As the circuit takes a short break before heading to Calgary on January 1, Ferreira will look to continue his dominance, while Hess works to secure his ticket to Italy — and perhaps his Olympic dream.
Freestyle Skiing – Path to 2026 Olympics
The men’s freeski halfpipe is just one 2026 Olympic event in freestyle skiing. The following list includes 2022 Winter Olympic medal winners, top US finishers, 2026 US qualifiers, and contenders. The list was researched from various sources, and some information is based on projections.
Sources include: Days to Winter Olympics series, Olympics.com, and nbcolympics.com
