FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup Copper Mountain: Japan sweeps titles as Hirano Ayumu, Shimizu Sara claim wins; Chloe Kim fourth

Reigning Olympic halfpipe champion Hirano Ayumu saved his best for last on Friday (20 December).

The Japanese superstar put down a 97.00 on his final run to secure gold at the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup in Copper Mountain, Colorado, with his 15-year-old compatriot Shimizu Sara winning the women’s event.

Hirano’s win marked back-to-back titles at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, having won here in 2023, as well. The 26-year-old is a three-time Olympic medallist overall, having taken silver in both 2014 and 2018.

Copper Mountain is the second of five World Cup stops in a pivotal 2024-25 season with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 looming in the distance.

American Chloe Kim, the two-time and reigning Olympic champion, put up strong second and third runs after coming in as the top qualifier. She finished just off the podium with a 86.75 to end up fourth.

The teenager Shimizu opened the finals with a 90.50 and never relinquished that pole position in what was just her second-ever World Cup start.

Xuetong Cai of the People’s Republic of China claimed silver with a 88.50, while Ono Mitsuki of Japan won bronze (88.00).

In a strong day overall for Team Japan, Hirano was joined by teammates Totsuka Yuto (94.75) and Hirano Ruka (92.75) on the men’s podium. Ruka, who is not related to Ayumu, is the two-time and reigning Crystal Globe winner in men’s snowboard halfpipe.

Two-time Olympic medallist Scotty James of Australia finished just off the podium in fourth (91.50), with all four of the top men’s finishers recording their best score on the final run of the day in a dramatic finish.

Team USA’s Maddie Mastro, who won the season opener on the Secret Garden halfpipe in China earlier this month, scored a 77.00 in her first run, but then opted out of a second and third trip down the halfpipe due to a reported ankle injury, commentators on Outside TV said.

See the full results from Copper Mountain below. The World Cup continues there on Saturday (21 December) with the freeski halfpipe finals.