Key Takeaways
- Maddy Schaffrick and Jake Pates, two American snowboarders, qualified for the halfpipe finals at the U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen after making comebacks to the sport.
- Schaffrick, a former Olympic coach, is the only American woman to advance in the halfpipe competition after returning from a nearly decade-long break.
- Pates, who stepped away from the sport after the 2018 Olympics, earned a top qualifying score of 88.25 in his heat.
- Other American snowboarders, including Chase Josey, Ryan Wachendorfer, and Alessandro Barbieri, also advanced to the finals.
- The competition will continue with the slopestyle course on Day 2, featuring Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard, and the freeskiers will move to the halfpipe, with Alex Ferreira, Hunter Hess, Nick Goepper, and David Wise participating.
Introduction to the U.S. Grand Prix
The 2026 U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen, Colorado, has brought together the top men’s and women’s snowboarders in the halfpipe competition from the United States. The event has seen the return of two American snowboarders, Maddy Schaffrick and Jake Pates, who are making comebacks to the sport. Schaffrick, a former Olympic coach, is the only American woman to advance in the halfpipe competition after returning from a nearly decade-long break. Pates, who stepped away from the sport after the 2018 Olympics, earned a top qualifying score of 88.25 in his heat.
Maddy Schaffrick’s Comeback
Schaffrick, 31, was a teenage star who felt the inevitable burnout early and walked away from the competitive side of the sport for nearly a decade. Now, she’s on the doorstep of making the 2026 Milan Olympics roster. Schaffrick told USA TODAY Sports that her journey has been a mixture of everything, with the highest highs and the most grateful moments, as well as challenges she didn’t expect. She has learned what self-belief truly is and is grateful for the experience. After dislocating her shoulder during her second run at the Copper Grand Prix in December, Schaffrick hadn’t been in a halfpipe until Monday, but she was able to throw down a 75.25 on her second run, qualifying for the finals.
Jake Pates’ Journey
Jake Pates competed at the 2018 PyeongChang Games but spent most of the next few years away from competition. He stepped away from the sport due to multiple reasons, including feeling like he couldn’t come back. However, he met people who opened his eyes to the possibility of returning to the sport. With a score of 83.25 after his first run, Pates left it all out there for the second run, stunning everyone with a 88.25. He told USA TODAY Sports that he was at rock bottom, feeling depressed and lost, but he found heart and spirit and fought his way back. Pates is grateful to be back in the sport and wouldn’t change a single thing, saying that the darkest moments make us who we are.
Other American Snowboarders Advance
Other American snowboarders, including Chase Josey, Ryan Wachendorfer, and Alessandro Barbieri, also advanced to the finals. Barbieri, 17, threw down a 85.50 on his first run to finish second in the first heat, giving the Americans four riders in the men’s halfpipe final. The pressure of competing in the U.S. and the Olympic qualifying pressure made Barbieri feel like everyone wants to land a decent run to make it to finals and keep the hope alive. He saw his first-run score and felt good about his standing, but his board caught the slush on his second run, and he fell.
Slopestyle and Freeskiing Competition
At the slopestyle course, Avery Krumme became the lone women’s freeskier to advance to the eight-person finals and finished fourth on the day. The men’s side fared well, with Mac Forehand, Alex Hall, and Konnor Ralph finishing 2-4 in Heat 1. Colby Stevenson nearly didn’t make finals but managed to squeak in with an eighth-place 64.25 in Heat 2, and fellow American Henry Townshend joined him with a seventh-place 67.50. On Day 2, the snowboarders will head to the slopestyle course, featuring Jamie Anderson, a 41-year-old mom of two trying to make her fourth Olympics, and Red Gerard. The freeskiers will move to the halfpipe, with American men Alex Ferreira, Hunter Hess, Nick Goepper, and David Wise participating. Wise, 35, needs a strong showing in Aspen to put his qualification for a fourth Games back on track.
Conclusion
The 2026 U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen has seen the return of two American snowboarders, Maddy Schaffrick and Jake Pates, who are making comebacks to the sport. The competition will continue with the slopestyle course on Day 2, featuring Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard, and the freeskiers will move to the halfpipe, with Alex Ferreira, Hunter Hess, Nick Goepper, and David Wise participating. The event has shown that with determination and hard work, athletes can overcome challenges and achieve their goals, and it will be exciting to see how the rest of the competition unfolds.