Brown and Goepper secure World Cup halfpipe victories
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on January 4, 2026
Nick Goepper of Team USA secured a victory at the Calgary competition. The event was significant as athletes competed for Olympic qualification for Milano Cortina 2026.
Men’s Competition Results
Goepper, a three-time Olympic slopestyle medalist, achieved a score of 94.80, earning him the top spot. His second run included four consecutive double corks: a switch leftside double cork 1080, rightside double cork 1260, leftside double cork 1260, and rightside double cork 1080, concluding with his signature switch left bone roll. He stated the win was crucial for Olympic qualification for the USA team.
Finley Melville Ives of New Zealand finished second with a score of 92.20, the only other skier to surpass 90 points. Birk Irving, also representing Team USA, placed third with a score of 89.90, matching his sister Svea Irving’s third-place finish in the women’s competition.
Matthew Labaugh, who qualified first on Thursday, finished fourth with a score of 89.60. Hunter Hess of Team USA secured fifth place with a score of 83.40.
Alex Ferreira, the only American freeski halfpipe athlete already qualified for Milano Cortina 2026, did not participate in the Calgary competition.
Upcoming Olympic Qualifying Event
The next Olympic qualifying event will be a World Cup held at Aspen Snowmass from January 8–10. This event will be the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for Milano Cortina 2026.
