• Scotty James of Australia topped qualifying in the men’s snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Games.
  • Americans Alessandro Barbieri (4th), Chase Josey (11th) and Jake Pates (12th) all advanced to the final.
  • James is a two-time Olympic medalist and enters the final as qualifying leader.

H2: Scotty James leads qualifying in Milan-Cortina

Two-time Olympic medalist Scotty James topped qualifying in the men’s snowboard halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. James put together the highest-scoring runs in the qualifying session, finishing ahead of a field of world-class competitors and earning one of the top spots in Sunday’s final.

James, who has stood on Olympic podiums before, looked composed and technically sharp in qualifying. His result sets him up as one of the favorites heading into the medal round, where riders will have another chance to pull out their most difficult tricks under pressure.

H3: U.S. trio advances — Barbieri leads the Americans

The United States advanced three riders to the halfpipe final. Alessandro Barbieri led the U.S. contingent with a fourth-place qualifying finish. Barbieri’s solid performance gives Team USA momentum as the field moves into the final.

Chase Josey and Jake Pates also secured spots in the medal round, qualifying 11th and 12th respectively. Both riders have proven they can land big runs when it counts, and their presence in the final adds depth to the American challenge for a podium spot.

H4: What qualifying means for the final

Qualifying positions determine start order and, often, the psychological advantage heading into the final. James’s top seeding means he will ride later in the order, allowing him to see other competitors’ marks before his final runs. Barbieri, Josey and Pates will look to use their qualifying experience to dial in higher-difficulty runs and cleaner landings in the medal round.

Expect riders to push the envelope in the final — athletes typically increase risk with bigger rotations and technical combinations when medals are on the line.

H5: Final and replay information

The men’s halfpipe final will decide the podium at Milan-Cortina 2026. Fans who missed qualifying can watch the full event replay on the official stream: https://stream.nbcolympics.com/snowboarding-mens-halfpipe-qualifying

Stay tuned for live coverage and results as athletes return to the pipe to contest medals. Follow official Olympic channels for updates, run order announcements and final scoring.

Short takeaways

Scotty James claimed top honors in qualifying, setting the stage for a high-stakes final. Alessandro Barbieri led three U.S. riders into the medal round, with Chase Josey and Jake Pates joining him. The final promises big tricks and tight competition for Olympic hardware.

Image Referance: https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/james-us-trio-led-barbieri-make-snowboard-pipe-final