From SLC To Gold: Westminster’s Alex Ferreira Earns First Olympic Gold In Skiing Halfpipe
Feb 20, 2026, 1:06 PM | Updated: 2:09 pm
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 20: Alex Ferreira of Team United States reacts after competing in the third run of the Men's Freeski Halfpipe Final on day fourteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 20, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
MILAN, Italy – Westminster’s Alex Ferreira is going home with a men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe Gold in his second Winter Olympic experience.
Estonia’s Henry Sildaru earned Silver. Brendan MacKay of Canada knocked American Nick Goepper off the podium with the final run of the day to earn Bronze.
2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Medal Count
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Birk Irving
Run 1
Participating in his second Olympic Games, Birk Irving had a low landing in the middle of his run that cost him points and positioning.
With two runs left, Irving scuttled the rest of his attempt, finishing with a 33.
Run 2
The former member of the U of U ski team put together a much-improved run on chance two.
Irving was one of the few competitors to finish his run, earning an 87.50 that moved him into the gold medal position.
Run 3
Irving’s last attempt was his best.
He delighted the crowd on his way to an 88, leaving him off the podium.
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Hunter Hess
Run 1
Utah resident Hunter Hess had the crowd’s support behind him as his run started magnificently.
The former Salt Lake Community College student ended his first attempt with a fall, scoring 27.25 to finish an otherwise spectacular run.
Run 2
Hess started fast, but a late fall ended the run.
Run 3
The 27-year-old had a great final run outside of one imperfect landing.
The mistake gave him a final score of 58.75.
Alex Ferreira
Run 1
Former Westminster student Alex Ferreira was looking good before a slight hip touch on the ground ended his chance.
He finished with a 49.50.
Run 2
The two-time Olympic medalist was flawless on his second attempt.
Ferreira flipped and spun his way down the halfpipe, jumping the field and landing in first with a 90.50.
Run 3
The 31-year-old nailed his final run to near-perfection.
Ferreira owned the halfpipe, jumping back into first with a 93.75.
Some reactions simply say it all. Alex Ferreira is a #WinterOlympics GOLD MEDALIST! 🎿🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6h4Uzkgisf
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 20, 2026
Nick Goepper
Run 1
Nick Goepper came loose in his technique late in the halfpipe.
The Westminster grad caught the top edge of the pipe, tumbling to a 29.25.
Run 2
The current SLC resident needed a massive score to stay alive for a medal.
Goepper was very good, moving into the bronze position with an 89.
Run 3
Needing a great run, Goepper took a big fall and appeared to injure himself.
American Nick Goepper managed to walk off after this scary fall in the men’s skiing halfpipe finals. pic.twitter.com/gwdrXXEWBf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 20, 2026
Course medics quickly responded, but Goepper rose to his feet and walked off the course under his own power.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies, Locals in MLB, and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees, Beehive baseball, and Aggie athletics coverage here.
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