Two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim will miss this weekend’s Laax Open in Switzerland after tearing her labrum during a training run, yet the snowboarder insists she remains on track for the Milan Cortina Olympics.
At a Glance
- Kim tore her labrum last week while preparing for the Laax Open
- She has competed only once this season and now faces limited on-snow time before the Games
- The women’s Olympic halfpipe contest opens February 11
- Why it matters: The heavy favorite’s reduced practice reps raise questions about her form heading into the sport’s biggest stage
Kim revealed the diagnosis Tuesday in an Instagram video, explaining that the injury involves the lining of the shoulder socket. She did not specify which shoulder was hurt when she fell.
“There are two ways to do it, and the way I did it is less severe than the other, so I’m really happy about that,” she said. “Obviously, I’m really disappointed that I can’t snowboard until right before the Olympics, which is going to be hard. I haven’t gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that’s OK.”
Limited Competition Time
The 25-year-old American has qualified for the U.S. team and is considered the top contender for gold in Italy if healthy. She will skip the upcoming Laax Open and has made no commitment to the Winter X Games in Aspen later this month, the final major event before the Olympics.
Kim’s competitive slate this season:
- Copper Mountain last month – her lone start
- Laax Open this weekend – withdrew after injury
- Winter X Games – status unclear
During warm-ups for the Copper Mountain final she sustained a separate shoulder issue, meaning she has dealt with two shoulder setbacks in less than two months.
Recovery Routine
In the video Kim displayed the shoulder brace she must wear, joking that it is “super-sexy” while admitting it is uncomfortable. She added that she experienced “a bunch of different waves of emotions” after learning the extent of the damage.
Despite the setback, she struck an upbeat tone.
“I’m so grateful to be able to do this even though the lows can get pretty damn low,” she wrote in the post accompanying the clip.
The footage ended with Kim picking up boyfriend Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end, at a train station, signaling she will have support during her rehabilitation period.
Olympic Countdown
With the women’s halfpipe contest scheduled to begin February 11, Kim faces a compressed timeline to regain full mobility and sharpen the tricks that have made her dominant. She acknowledged the challenge of entering the Games with minimal recent competition mileage yet expressed excitement about the days ahead.
“Honestly, I’m really excited for this week,” she said, referring to a planned week of light activity and exploration while the shoulder stabilizes.
Derrick M. Collins reported the development, and News Of Fort Worth carried the initial update.
