Chloe Kim and Scotty James Win Gold at World Snowboard Championships

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — American snowboarder Chloe Kim and Australia’s Scotty James dominated the halfpipe events at the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships on Saturday, March 29, 2025, securing gold medals in their respective categories.

Kim earned her victory with a score of 93.50 on her first run during the women’s final, marking her third world title following previous wins in 2019 and 2021. She did not compete in the last edition of the championships. “Today was definitely a big mental battle, I think for all the ladies,” Kim said, highlighting the two-hour weather delay that impacted all competitors. “I definitely had a couple mental breakdowns during practice, so I’m just really happy I was able to land something.”

Sara Shimizu, a 15-year-old from Japan, finished second with a score of 90.75, while Mitsuki Ono claimed bronze with 88.50. Kim’s winning routine featured impressive maneuvers, including a switch double cork 1080 and back-to-back 900s.

James, meanwhile, secured his fourth world championship title with a second-run score of 95.00 in the men’s final. This victory marks a significant comeback after he finished fifth in the previous championships. “I wanted to come back and finish it on top. To have won four world titles, I’m pinching myself,” James said.

The podium for the men’s final also featured Japan’s Ruka Hirano, who took silver with a score of 92.25, and Yuto Totsuka, who won bronze with 92.00. James expressed respect for his fellow competitors, acknowledging the challenges posed by the tough conditions. “Halfpipe’s a scary sport, and it gets even scarier when conditions are tough. It was really, really tough, and you had to be resilient today,” he added.

Kim’s victory also secures her a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, making her one of the favorites to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in halfpipe. “I think I’m back,” Kim reflected on her return to competition. “I really started to find the joy for the sport again, and I think that’s been a really big change for me, a positive change.”

Both athletes are prominent figures in their sport, with Kim also winning multiple World Cup events and the X Games this season. The impact of their performances extends beyond medals; they continually push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport. Kim aims for further progression in women’s snowboarding with innovative tricks, attempting maneuvers that have not yet been landed by women in competition.

The U.S. women’s Olympic halfpipe team will be finalized in early 2026. As the snowboarding community reflects on the accomplishments of Kim, James, and their Japanese counterparts, the competition shows no signs of waning as it continues to inspire the next generation of snowboarders.