Kelly Sildaru is set to compete in the women’s halfpipe qualification at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday (ET), representing a significant milestone in her career following a serious knee surgery in late 2024. This event marks a pivotal return for the Estonian athlete, who previously earned her country’s only medal at the last Winter Games. Competing exclusively in the halfpipe this time around, Sildaru faces intense competition, including from a top rival who has already secured two silver medals in the ongoing Olympics.
Sildaru’s preparation for the Games included a training camp in Switzerland, focusing on altitude training to increase her amplitude in the halfpipe. She expressed that this experience greatly boosted her confidence, despite some lingering doubts about executing certain tricks. Leading up to her qualification, she encountered challenging conditions during training due to snow and a blizzard, but a final sunny training session provided an encouraging glimpse into her readiness for competition.
The journey back to the Olympic stage has not been easy for Sildaru. She candidly spoke about the psychological and physical challenges posed by her injuries, noting that recovering from two consecutive setbacks meant she had to rebuild her confidence from a low point. Despite the tight timeline between her first competition post-recovery and the Olympics, she feels poised and positive about her performance following her recent training experiences.
As she turns 24 while competing, Sildaru is focused on enjoying the moment amidst the typical pressures that come with the Olympics. Being back on this prestigious platform is a personal victory for her, adding an emotional dimension to her performance.
Choosing to forgo slopestyle at these Games, Sildaru’s singular focus on the halfpipe puts her in direct competition with a top-tier field, including the defending champion. She appreciates the strong representation of competitors in her event, seeing it as an opportunity for the sport to gain more visibility and highlight the appeal of freestyle disciplines like slopestyle and halfpipe.
Reflecting on the dangers inherent in her sport, Sildaru acknowledged that freestyle skiing can be perilous, as even minor factors can lead to injuries. However, after her extensive rehabilitation, the pursuit of medals remains a significant goal for her, although just competing again feels like a noteworthy achievement. A return to the podium would be deeply meaningful given her previous challenges and her decision to focus on halfpipe this time.
With qualifications approaching on Thursday, the excitement surrounding Sildaru’s journey is palpable, not only for the potential to win a medal but also for the inspiring narrative of resilience and determination following a medical setback.