Snowboard prodigy Lee Chae-un (20, Kyung Hee University) fell short of a medal in his first Olympic appearance but expressed strong determination to win at the next Games. Lee finished sixth with a final score of 87.50 points in the men's halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, held at Livigno Snow Park, Italy, on February 14 local time.
Lee, who advanced to the final as the ninth-place qualifier, had a shaky start. He faced a crisis after consecutive mistakes in his first and second runs. However, in his crucial third run, Lee delivered a clean performance by successfully executing a 1620-degree rotation—a world-first trick at the highest difficulty level. After the competition, he said, "I'm proud of myself for landing a world-first trick. The result is a bit disappointing, but I feel relieved."
Tears of Frustration with Father's Encouragement... "I'll Train Like My Life Depends on It to Win Gold in Four Years"
Despite his impressive third run, Lee embraced his father with tears in his eyes when his score fell short of 90 points. "After failing my first and second runs, my father's encouragement helped me seize my last chance," he said. "I gave it my all, so I was internally hoping for at least 92 points. The score was lower than expected, and I was so upset that I hugged my father and cried."
Having felt the gap against the world's top athletes, Lee is already setting his sights on four years from now. "I prepared with blood, sweat, and tears, but I once again faced the high wall of world-class competition," Lee said. "I think this score is a reminder of what I still lack." He added, "For the next Olympics, I will reinforce new techniques and train as if my life depends on it to stand on the top of the podium."