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Ayumu Hirano Recovers From Swiss Crash, Sets Sights on Defending Milan‑Cortina Halfpipe Title

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Broken Nose and Pelvic Fracture in Swiss Fall Hirano fell during a snowboard contest in Switzerland in January 2026, suffering a broken nose and a fractured pelvis; his trainer posted the injuries on social media, confirming their severity. He began light rehabilitation and plans to resume full training by Sunday, aiming to restore his competitive form before the Olympics. The details of the accident and his recovery timeline are reported by the Associated Press [1].

Aiming for Fourth Consecutive Olympic Halfpipe Medal At 27, Hirano entered the Milan‑Cortina Games intent on defending his 2022 halfpipe title, a goal that would give him one gold and two silvers and make him the first Japanese winter athlete to medal in four Games. He emphasized trust in his preparation, stating he will “ride the way I’m capable of riding.” His historic ambition and confidence were highlighted in the AP release [1].

Training Resumes Ahead of Wednesday Qualifiers The Ski Association of Japan announced that Hirano will restart full‑speed training on Sunday, giving him a brief window before men’s halfpipe qualifying on the following Wednesday. Officials expressed confidence in his recovery and readiness for the Olympic event. The schedule and official support are outlined in the AP article [1].

Sources

Timeline

2014‑2022: Ayumu Hirano becomes a three‑time Olympic medalist, holding one gold and two silvers in the halfpipe, establishing him as a leading contender for future Games [1].

2022: Shaun White retires from competitive snowboarding after his final halfpipe appearance, concluding a career that includes three Olympic gold medals (2006, 2010, 2018) [2].

Jan 15, 2026: White announces he will lead the new Snow League, a professional tour that replaces traditional scoring with head‑to‑head elimination brackets and has secured roughly $15 million in funding from investors such as Fenway Sports Group and 359 Capital [2].

Jan 15, 2026: White says he will attend the Milan‑Cortina Games as a VIP guest rather than a competitor, marking his first Olympic appearance since retirement [2].

Jan 26, 2026: A major winter storm blankets much of the United States, depositing fresh snow in New York City and creating hazardous travel conditions, which inadvertently provides the surface for a surprise snowboarding showcase [3][4].

Jan 26, 2026: Shaun White performs a spontaneous snowboarding run in Central Park, launching over comedians Shane Gillis and Chris O’Connor, and the stunt goes viral on social media [3][4].

Jan 26, 2026: White tells Olympics.com, “This is all an exciting time for me… I’m just going try to see everything honestly,” expressing enthusiasm for his new role as an NBC Sports commentator at the upcoming Olympics [3][4].

Jan 26, 2026: NBC confirms White will serve as an expert commentator for the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Winter Olympics, covering events such as halfpipe, big‑air, and skiing [3][4].

Feb 2, 2026: Ayumu Hirano resumes halfpipe training on Sunday in preparation for the Milan‑Cortina Games, after suffering a broken nose and pelvis in a Swiss competition the previous month [1].

Feb 5, 2026: Men’s halfpipe qualifying is scheduled for Wednesday, giving Hirano his first competitive opportunity at the Games following his injury recovery [1].

Feb 6‑22, 2026: The 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics take place; Hirano aims to defend his halfpipe title and could become the first Japanese Winter Olympian to medal at four Games, while White attends as a VIP and NBC commentator [1][2][3][4].

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