Legendary snowboarder Shaun White has named the Team USA athlete he believes could challenge the two favourites when the men’s halfpipe competition gets underway at Milano Cortina 2026.
Defending champion Hirano Ayumu and Scotty James, who won silver at Beijing 2022, are set to renew their rivalry this week, with three-time Olympic champion White predicting big things in Friday’s final – after Wednesday’s qualification round.
“I feel like there’s Ayumu, Scotty James and these characters that have been around long enough to know it’s good to hold back a little something for the big day,” White told Olympics.com.
“I really feel like we might see some tricks that have never really been done before in competition at the Olympics. That’s my prediction.”
And when it comes to challengers, White has spoken highly of the “incredibly talented” Alessandro Barbieri, the 17-year-old U.S. prodigy who is nicknamed ‘The Chef’ and won halfpipe silver at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
White noted Barbieri’s frustration at a Snow League event in December, recognising the teenager’s will to win and desire to topple the greats like Hirano and James.
“I would be watching out for him,” White added. “Definitely this Olympics and hopefully many to come. He’s somebody that I think’s incredibly talented, motivated, great style, great personality, and you know I’m super impressed.”
