2026 Winter OIympics: Eileen Gu v Team GB's Zoe Atkin in epic halfpipe showdown, 'tall order' for Chinese skier to win gold
Published 21/02/2026 at 13:40 GMT
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The women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter OIympics in Milano Cortina is set to be a "battle" royale between Chinese superstar Eileen Gu, the defending champion who has already claimed two silver medals at the Games, and Team GB's "incredible" Zoe Atkin, but who will land the knockout blow? Former GB freestyle skier James Woods has given his insight into the two main contenders.
'Tall order' for Gu to get gold in halfpipe showdown with GB's Atkin
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eileen Gu faces a "tall order" to claim a gold in what is predicted to be an epic Winter Olympics "battle" at Milano Cortina with Team GB’s Zoe Atkin in the women’s halfpipe final.
Atkin qualified in first place for Saturday’s final, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ and starts at 6:30pm UK time, thanks to a stunning first run which scored 91.50, while defending champion Gu fell on her first run.
Former GB freestyle skier James Woods believes that Gu, 22, will have to be at her very best to claim a gold in the 2026 Games against a "fresh" Atkin.
"You prepare," James told TNT Sports. "Everybody’s got their own timeline. We saw Henry Sildaru last night. He’s been competing in the big air and halfpipe. He came in the silver medal position last night in the halfpipe.
"So it’s definitely doable. I mean, Eileen, her primary event, is in the halfpipe. I would say that, although she’s absolutely fantastic in the slopestyle and big air, her best chance is definitely in the halfpipe. That’s where she specialises.
"She has been up against a world champion in each of these categories. She’s done incredibly well, I mean silver is amazing.
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Atkin nails 'beautiful' run to seal halfpipe qualification
Video credit: TNT Sports
"To face Mathilde Gremaud, to face Megan Oldham [and] now to face a fresh Zoe Atkin, it’s a really tall order for her. It will be a battle between those two."
Atkin, who won gold in the 2025 World Championships as well as in the 2026 X Games, is looking to add an Olympic medal to her already growing list of accolades.
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And Woods believes that the 23-year-old is in perfect condition ahead of the final.
"Zoe’s been skiing incredible," said Woods.
"Of course, everything gets reset from qualifications, but she qualified in first, and rightfully so. I think it’s a very fair thing to be excited about Zoe’s performance [in qualification]."
Gu spoke about her "tiredness" after qualifying for the final. The Chinese superstar - who likes to have 10 hours of sleep a night - has admitted to feeling "totally depleted" as she has also competed in the big air and slopestyle, winning silver in both.
"To be honest with you, I'm really tired," Gu told TNT Sports’ Lutalo Muhammad. "I haven't had an off day in three weeks and my adrenaline levels are totally depleted.
"I missed a training here. I haven't skied pipe in two months before that. So it's been a steep learning curve to get back in the pipe, but every day counts, and hopefully I'll bring my best for finals."
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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