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US skier Alex Ferreira wins gold medal in men's free ski halfpipe to end Olympic career
By Ryan Canfield
Published February 20, 2026
American Alex Ferreira took home a gold medal in the Olympic freestyle skiing men’s free ski halfpipe Friday at Livigno Snow Park.
Ferreira, 31, scored a 93.75 on his final run and narrowly edged out Estonia’s Henry Sildaru, who scored a 93.00, to secure the top spot on the podium for the first time in his career. Canada’s Brendan Mackay earned a bronze medal, scoring a 91.00 in his final run to knock American Nick Goepper off the podium.
Ferreira won a silver in this event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Colorado native said these Olympic Games were likely to be his last, according to Olympics.com.
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Alex Ferreira of the United States competes in the second run of the men’s freeski halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 20, 2026. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Now he will head back home with his first-ever gold medal.
Ferreira has made 16 World Cup podiums and won seven X Games medals. In 2023-24, he won every contest he entered and became the first halfpipe skier to have a perfect season.
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Alex Ferreira of the United States competes in the second run of the men’s freeski halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ferreira was nearly joined by Goepper on the podium, but Goepper’s quest for a medal was halted after a harrowing crash, giving Mackay a chance to reach the podium.
Goepper finished fourth, and American Birk Irving finished fifth.
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Alex Ferreira of the United States reacts after competing in the third run of the men’s freeski halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 20, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
American Hunter Hess, who was criticized by President Donald Trump after Hess’ controversial remarks about representing the United States at the Olympics under the current administration, did not place and finished in 10th.
Ferreira’s gold medal was the 10th for the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, tying an American Winter Olympics record for most gold medals won. The United States won 10 gold medals in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games.
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/us-skier-alex-ferreira-wins-gold-medal-mens-free-ski-halfpipe-end-olympic-career