Chloe Kim receives heartfelt boost from reigning US Olympic champion ahead of halfpipe final

Chloe Kim once again proved why she remains the standard in women’s snowboarding, delivering a commanding performance in the qualifying round of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The two-time defending Olympic champion soared to the top of the leaderboard with a stunning score of 90.25 on Wednesday, comfortably securing her place in the highly anticipated halfpipe final.

With that performance, Kim moved one step closer to rewriting Olympic history. The 25-year-old now stands on the brink of becoming a three-time consecutive Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe — an achievement that would further cement her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

As she prepares for Thursday’s final, Kim carries not just momentum, but an outpouring of support from fellow athletes and fans alike.

Suni Lee’s message sparks wave of support

Among the tens of thousands celebrating Kim’s performance was decorated U.S. gymnast Suni Lee. The six-time Olympic medalist, who captured gold in the team final and bronze in the all-around and uneven bars at the 2024 Paris Olympics, took to social media to publicly show her admiration.

After Chloe Kim shared photos from her qualifying triumph, Lee responded with an emphatic message:

“PROUD OF UUUU LFG ❤️❤️”

Lee understands the magnitude of the Olympic stage and the relentless preparation required to succeed. Her words carried added weight given her own decorated résumé and experience under the brightest lights in global sport.

Shared roots, shared excellence

Kim and Lee’s connection extends beyond Olympic glory. Both athletes share inspiring family backgrounds rooted in immigrant stories. Kim was born and raised in Torrance, California, to parents from South Korea.

Suni Lee, raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the daughter of Yeev Thoj, a refugee from Laos who immigrated to the United States at a young age.

Their journeys reflect resilience, cultural pride, and excellence on the world stage — themes echoed throughout the reactions flooding Chloe Kim’s social media.

While the praise continues to pour in, Kim’s mission remains unfinished. The halfpipe final is set for Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, where she will attempt to secure a historic third straight Olympic title.