Scotty James Makes History with Fourth Consecutive X Games Halfpipe Gold

ASPEN, Colo. — Australian snowboarder Scotty James made history Sunday, becoming the first man to win four consecutive X Games gold medals in the halfpipe. The 30-year-old delivered a jaw-dropping performance at Buttermilk Ski Area, scoring 96.33 points on his first run to secure the victory under the lights in Aspen.

James, a two-time Olympic medalist, showcased a technically demanding run that included a McTwist, cab triple cork 1440, frontside 1260, backside 1080, and switch back 1200. His flawless execution left competitors trailing, with Japan’s Yuto Totsuka taking silver (93.66 points) and Ayumu Hirano earning bronze (92.33 points).

“Just winning a gold medal is amazing here at X Games, and to do four in a row, I am absolutely speechless,” James said after his victory. “The triple cork is the one; it’s the trick I feel you have to have in the mix to have any intention of making any damage on the podium.”

This marks James’ seventh X Games gold medal and his 10th overall in the halfpipe, tying the legendary Shaun White‘s record. White, who won six consecutive X Games halfpipe titles from 2008 to 2013, remains the most decorated X Games athlete with 15 gold medals across snowboarding and skateboarding.

James’ historic win comes just weeks after the birth of his first child, Leo, in October. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “Leo is probably at home having a sleep. He doesn’t care at all. He just wants mom at the moment. But I love being a dad, and being at the top of the podium is absolutely surreal.”

The competition featured a new format, with eight riders competing in a two-run playoff to determine the top four finalists. James, Totsuka, Hirano, and American Lucas Foster advanced to the finals, where James’ first-run score proved unbeatable. Foster narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth.

James’ dominance at X Games Aspen began in 2017, with back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020. After finishing second to Totsuka in 2021, he has remained undefeated since 2022. His latest victory solidifies his status as a leading contender for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

“I knew that I just had to go for it if I wanted to win, and that was my mindset,” James said. “I just said, ‘You know what, either crash or win.’ That was my mentality, and fortunately, we got it done.”