Winter Park’s Svea Irving waits to see her score during the women’s halfpipe skiing final of the Aspen World Cup and U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Svea Irving, 23, of Winter Park finished eighth in the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Olympic qualifiers Feb. 19. She will advance to the finals on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11:30 a.m.
Only the highest score was used to determine rankings; each competitor took two runs. Irving completed her first run with a score of 77.75, followed by a second run score of 80.75.
Great Britain, China and Canada took the top three spots at qualifiers. Great Britian’s Zoe Atkin finished first with a score of 91.50. In second, China’s Li Fangui received a score of 90.00. Third place went to Canada’s Cassie Sharpe, who scored an 88.25 on her first run before wiping out on her second run and being escorted off the halfpipe on a medical sled.
Strong Execution Under Pressure
The qualifying round demanded both creativity and precision, with riders pushing the limits of difficulty. Irving opted for a balanced strategy—prioritizing execution and flow over risky, high-difficulty combinations. That decision paid off, as she avoided major mistakes and posted a competitive score that kept her within striking distance of the podium contenders.
Her performance reflected steady progress throughout the season, demonstrating improved confidence in the pipe and greater control in her landings. Judges rewarded her for clean grabs, solid height, and fluid linking of tricks.
Eyes on the Final
With qualification secured, Irving now shifts focus to the final, where the intensity—and the difficulty—will rise significantly. To contend for a medal, she may need to increase her technical degree or add a signature trick to boost scoring potential.
Still, finishing eighth in qualification positions her well. In a format where anything can happen in a single standout run, Irving remains firmly in the mix.
As the Olympic freeski halfpipe final approaches, all eyes will be on whether she can elevate her performance once more and turn a solid qualifying round into a medal-winning moment
Winter Park Resort is planning an official watch party for the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe finals at Sundog Restaurant on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11:30 a.m. Along with a live screening of the Olympics, the event will feature a change to win IKON Pass merchandise, according to resort officials.
