Livigno, Italy – A pall of concern settled over the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu suffered a significant crash during the qualification round of the women’s halfpipe event. The incident, which occurred during her second and final run, prompted a ten-minute suspension of the competition as medical personnel attended to the 33-year-aged veteran.
According to reports from the scene, Liu Jiayu was attempting to secure a qualifying position for the final twelve when her board unexpectedly caught an edge on the final jump. This caused her to lose control mid-air, resulting in a violent fall. She initially impacted the snow with her left shoulder before continuing to tumble, ultimately landing on her neck and head. The impact was forceful enough to halt the music playing at the Snow Park and immediately trigger a response from the medical team.
The scene was described as frightening, with Liu Jiayu remaining motionless on the snow for several minutes. Medical staff worked diligently to stabilize her before carefully moving her onto a stretcher and transporting her to a local hospital. As she was being carried away, the crowd erupted in applause, a gesture of support for the athlete who won silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
Fortunately, initial examinations have revealed no anomalies in her spine, offering a measure of relief after a harrowing ordeal. The extent of other potential injuries remains unclear as of this writing, but the quick response of the medical team undoubtedly played a crucial role in mitigating the severity of the situation.
The competition resumed after the ten-minute delay, allowing the remaining athletes to complete their qualification runs. The final is scheduled to take place tomorrow, February 12, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Snow Park in Livigno.
Liu Jiayu’s career has been marked by consistent success in the halfpipe discipline. In addition to her Olympic silver medal, she has secured gold at the 2009 World Championships and bronze at the 2011 edition. She similarly boasts a World Cup title in halfpipe, earned seventeen years ago, solidifying her status as a long-standing and respected figure in the sport.
Elsewhere at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy celebrated a golden double in the luge events. Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer triumphed in the women’s doubles, dominating the competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This victory was mirrored in the men’s doubles event, adding to Italy’s growing medal count. also saw successes for Austria’s Avital Carroll in freestyle skiing moguls qualifications, and further competition in snowboarding and other winter sports.
The incident involving Liu Jiayu serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in extreme sports. Although athletes push the boundaries of human performance, the potential for serious injury is ever-present. The swift and professional response of the medical team at Livigno underscores the importance of comprehensive safety protocols at major sporting events.
The focus now shifts to Liu Jiayu’s recovery and well-being. The entire sporting community will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for the experienced snowboarder, allowing her to continue her impressive career. The qualification results and the upcoming final will undoubtedly be viewed through a different lens, with thoughts turning to the athlete who experienced such a frightening moment on the slopes of Livigno.
The Italian team’s success in luge, particularly the gold medal performance of Voetter and Oberhofer, provides a bright spot amidst the concern surrounding Liu Jiayu’s injury. Their dominant performance in Cortina d’Ampezzo has ignited national pride and sets a positive tone for the remainder of the Winter Olympics. The double gold in luge highlights Italy’s strength in the sport and positions them as a force to be reckoned with in future competitions.
