Chasing Dreams in Livigno
The air in the Italian Alps is different—crisper, thinner, and during February 2026, it was absolutely electric.
This month, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. While the Games were spread across Northern Italy, my heart was set on one specific destination: Livigno. For years, I've watched the world's best snowboarders on screens, dissecting their lines and dreaming of the day I'd see them fly in person. Standing at the base of the Olympic halfpipe at the Mottolino Snowpark, that dream finally became a reality.
The Magic of the Halfpipe: A Historic Showdown
There is a specific kind of magic that happens in Livigno. Known as "Little Tibet," the town provided a breathtaking backdrop for the snowboarding events of Milano-Cortina, but all eyes were on the massive, pristine walls of the Olympic pipe.
Watching my idols drop into the transition was a surreal experience. The level of competition this year was legendary. Here's my own sports-reporting attempt of the Women's Halfpipe Final:
A passing of the torch: I witnessed firsthand a literal piece of history. 17-year-old Gaon Choi from South Korea put down an unbelievable final run to take the gold. After a scary fall in her first run, her resilience was mind-blowing—she bounced back to land a switch backside 900 and a massive frontside 900 to score a 90.25. Out of this world!!!
The legend lives on: seeing the icon Chloe Kim, and my personal idol, take home the silver was so moving. Despite battling a shoulder injury, she sent it with back-to-back 1080 attempts. The moment she hugged Gaon at the bottom of the pipe—passing the torch to the next generation—literally made me cry.
Global excellence: Japan's Mitsuki Ono was a powerhouse of consistency, claiming the bronze with a technical run that proved just how high the bar has been raised for women's snowboarding.
Seeing them navigate the pressure of the world stage with such power and sportsmanship reminded me that these athletes aren't just superstars; they are dedicated masters of their craft who started exactly where I am.
A Dream Signed in Ink
The highlight of the trip happened off the snow. I managed to spend some time near the athlete transition area, and I'm still pinching myself: I got my favorite hoodie signed by many of the top halfpipe competitors!
Check out my sweater—I got signatures from "old" legends like Shaun White, Jamie Anderson, my coach Iouri Podladtchikov, and Loui Vito. And current riders Scotty James, Valentino Guselli, Hirano Ayumu, Ruka Hirano, Wu Shatong, Queralt Castellet, Maddie Mastro, Bea Kim, Sena Tomita, Sara Shimizu, Jake Pates, Chase Josey, and many more…
Holding that fabric while they signed it—feeling the energy of the same people who just sent it 20 feet into the air—I felt a connection to the sport that I've never felt before. They were so encouraging, offering quick words of advice and smiles despite the intensity of the competition.
Now, that hoodie doesn't live in my closet—it hangs on my bedroom wall. Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I see are those signatures. They serve as a permanent, ink-stained reminder of where I want to be.
Fuel for the Fire
Coming home from the Milano-Cortina Games, I feel different. My perspective on training has shifted. The goal I set for myself—to reach the elite level of snowboarding—no longer feels like a distant "maybe." It feels like a "when."
Seeing the 2026 Winter Olympics in person has given me a new level of drive. Every time I hit the gym, every time I practice my rotations, and every time I look at my signed hoodie, I'm reminded of the atmosphere in Livigno. I'm reminded of Gaon Choi's resilience and Chloe Kim's heart.
The road to the top is long and full of hard slams and cold mornings, but after Milano-Cortina, I'm more ready than ever. The dream is real, the path is clear, and I'm just getting started.
Ayo, let's go get it!
Zazi
PS. Here are some more shots from my time at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
Stay tuned to my Blog zazi.net/blog for more updates on my journey and tips for staying motivated on your own path to greatness!
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