Lee Chae-un: Historic Snowboarding Feats and Olympic Aspirations
Milan-Cortina, Italy – The Livigno Snow Park was alive with the roar of the crowd and the thrill of high-flying acrobatics as the men's halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics unfolded. Amidst a field of elite talent, 19-year-old South Korean snowboarder Lee Chae-un captured global attention, not just for his impressive performance, but for achieving a monumental feat in the sport: successfully landing the incredibly complex frontside triple cork 1620.
A Groundbreaking Performance on the Olympic Stage
Despite the immense pressure and the ultimate absence of a medal, Lee Chae-un's performance in the men's halfpipe final was nothing short of historic. He secured sixth place with a score of 87.50 points. While he faced challenges, including a couple of slips on his runs, his final performance was a testament to his skill and determination. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the clean landing of his signature frontside triple cork 1620, a trick involving three inverted flips and four-and-a-half rotations. This groundbreaking manoeuvre cements his status as a pioneer in snowboarding.
“I am proud of myself for becoming the first person in the world to successfully land the frontside triple cork 1620. I feel relieved. I’m just glad I stayed uninjured and was able to land it cleanly,” Lee told reporters after the finals. This statement underscores the immense personal achievement, separate from the competitive outcome.
The Journey to the Top: From Toy Board to Olympic Halfpipe
Lee Chae-un's path to the pinnacle of snowboarding began at a remarkably young age. He reportedly started snowboarding at just six years old, inspired by a toy board gifted by his father. His trajectory has been marked by consistent progression and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Early Olympic Experience and World Championship Triumph
His introduction to the Olympic stage came at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he competed in the men's snowboard halfpipe event at just 15 years old, making him the youngest member of Team Korea. Although he finished 18th, the experience proved invaluable, providing him with his first taste of the sport's most prestigious competition.
The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Lee. He etched his name in Korean sports history by becoming the nation's first-ever snowboard halfpipe world champion at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships. Adding to this remarkable achievement, he also became the youngest champion in the event's history, a feat that sent ripples of excitement through the snowboarding community.
Youth Olympics Success and Asian Games Glory
Lee continued to build momentum at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, where he showcased his versatility by clinching two gold medals, one in halfpipe and another in slopestyle. These victories, especially the Youth Olympics gold, were seen as crucial stepping stones, bringing him closer to his ultimate goal of an Olympic medal.
Further demonstrating his prowess, Lee secured a gold medal in slopestyle at the Harbin 2025 Asian Winter Games. While his primary discipline, halfpipe, saw its finals cancelled due to adverse weather, his slopestyle victory was a significant accomplishment.
Overcoming Adversity: The Comeback Kid
Lee's career has not been without its challenges. In August 2024, he suffered a torn meniscus, a significant injury that required surgery and forced him to miss a substantial portion of the international circuit season. However, his resilience shone through. He returned to the slopes just months later, and during a training camp in Switzerland in November, he made headlines by landing the frontside triple cork 1620. This comeback cemented his reputation not only as a gifted athlete but also as an individual of immense mental fortitude.
The successful execution of the frontside triple cork 1620 was widely regarded as a potential game-changer in Olympic scoring. This trick, showcasing extreme difficulty and precision, positioned Lee as a strong medal contender for the 2026 Winter Games.
A Legacy in the Making
The comparison of his historic trick landing to figure skating legend Kim Yuna's iconic jumps highlights the magnitude of Lee's achievement. His journey exemplifies the evolution of snowboarding, pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible in aerial manoeuvres. While the Milan-Cortina Olympics did not result in a medal, Lee Chae-un's performance and his pioneering spirit have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring a new generation of winter athletes.
As the snowboarding world reflects on the Milan-Cortina Games, Lee Chae-un stands out as a symbol of dedication, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of athletic greatness. His future in the sport looks exceptionally bright, with many anticipating his continued success on the global stage.
