Yuto Totsuka of Japan stole the show Friday night in Italy, putting down an immaculate run to thwart Aussie Scotty James' fifth-Games summit to gold and win arguably the most progressive halfpipe contest in snowboarding history at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The 2021 world champion opened with back-to-back triple cork 1440s and closed with a pair of double corks to score a 95.00, overtaking James' 93.50 for the lead. James rode last and had a chance to reclaim the lead, but fell trying to upgrade his final trick to a 1620.
"If I was to lose to anyone, Yuto was the one," James, 31, said. "Yuto worked so hard. I always see him there at training. I was anticipating such a good battle with him, and he came out on top. So congrats to him."
Totsuka's teammates Ryusei Yamada and Ruka Hirano finish 3rd (for bronze) and 4th, while 2022 Beijing Games gold medalist Ayumu Hirano was 7th. Compare that result to the event's inaugural 1998 Nagano Olympics where Japanese riders finished 28th, 30th, 34th and 36th in a field of 36.
Ten of the 12 riders Friday attempted or landed a triple cork maneuver. Just four years ago, only Ayumu Hirano put down the trick. What's more, Totsuka became the third rider to ever land a switch backside 1440 in competition, following Ruka Hirano's in December and James' in January.
Japan has completely dominated the snowboard park and pipe events at Milan Cortina, so far claiming three of four golds (men's halfpipe plus men's and women's big air) and half of the 12 medals awarded, with slopestyle remaining.
Americans Jake Pates, Alessandro Barbieri and Chase Josey placed a respective 8th, 10th and 11th. For the first time, the U.S. has missed the men's snowboard halfpipe podium for a second straight Olympics. The nation made four straight from the event's debut in 1998 through 2010.
Three-time gold medalist Shaun White spectated Friday's final from the base — the first Olympics he's not competed in since 2002. White wrapped up his legendary Games career at the 2022 Beijing Games, finishing just off the podium in 4th.
What comes next for James?
"I'll keep riding and the show goes on," he said. "I'll show my [16-month-old] son this medal. He won't know what it is tomorrow morning, but I'll be proud to show it to him. That's it, just keep riding on to the next one."
Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Final
🥇 Yuto Totsuka, Japan (95.00)
🥈 Scotty James, Australia (93.50)
🥉 Ryusei Yamada, Japan (92.00)
4. Ruka Hirano, Japan (91.00)
5. Valentino Guseli, Australia (88.00)
6. Chaeun Lee, South Korea (87.50)
7. Ayumu Hirnao, Japan (86.50)
8. Jake Pates, United States (77.50)
9. Wang Ziyang, China (76.00)
10. Alessandro Barbieri, United States (75.00)
11. Chase Josey, United States (70.25)
12. Cam Melville Ives, New Zealand (43.00)