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Atkin secures Britain's second Olympic ski medal
Zoe Atkin won bronze in the women's halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday, becoming only the second British athlete to earn an Olympic medal on skis. The 23-year-old followed in the footsteps of her sister Izzy, who claimed slopestyle bronze for Team GB in 2018.
Family milestone in Livigno
Atkin's achievement marked a rare family double, as she and her sister now share Olympic podiums. Their mother, a Malaysian-English parent, became the first to raise two Winter Olympic medallists for Great Britain. Izzy Atkin, who inspired Zoe to take up skiing, was present in Livigno to witness the moment.
"She's always been my biggest inspiration. She pushed me into the sport and was always encouraging me to take risks on the mountain," Zoe said. "After watching her win in 2018, it became a huge goal for me. It's a full-circle moment-she supported me then, and now we're here together."
Zoe Atkin
Their extended family, largely based in Surrey, traveled to Italy to celebrate the historic result.
Pressure-free final run seals bronze
Atkin entered the final as the reigning world champion and X Games gold medalist, aiming to improve on her ninth-place finish from Beijing 2022. Heavy snow delayed the event to Sunday morning, but she qualified first with a score of 90.50 after defending champion Eileen Gu of China faltered on her opening run.
Gu rebounded with a 94.00 on her second attempt, while China's Li Fanghui posted 91.50. Atkin, however, fell during her run, leaving her in third place. With the bronze already secured, she delivered a near-flawless final run, scoring 92.50-just 0.5 points behind silver. Gu, the most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier, clinched gold with 94.75.
"I'm so happy. I've dreamed of this for four years. The crowd, the Olympics-it was overwhelming. Putting down two solid runs felt amazing, and the podium was the cherry on top."
Zoe Atkin
Team GB matches record medal haul
Atkin's bronze was Great Britain's fifth medal of the Games, equaling the nation's best-ever Winter Olympics tally from 2014 and 2018. The team had already surpassed its previous gold-medal record (one) when Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won snowboard cross gold a week earlier.
Balancing skiing and academia
Born and raised in the U.S. to a Malaysian mother and English father, Atkin splits her time between competitive skiing and studies at Stanford University. She majors in symbolic systems, blending cognitive science, neuroscience, and computer science-a field she credits with helping her manage the mental challenges of her sport.
"The tricks we do carry inherent risks. I struggled with fear, especially early on. Studying the brain's mechanisms has helped me apply new mindsets and push my limits in high-pressure moments."
Zoe Atkin
Atkin's final run saw her soar over 5 meters above the 6.7-meter-high halfpipe, a feat requiring precision on icy terrain. Her ability to merge elite athleticism with academic rigor underscores her unique journey to Olympic success.
What's next
The Milan-Cortina Games continue through February 22, with Team GB aiming to extend its historic medal count. Atkin's achievement cements her status as a pioneer for British skiing and a role model for aspiring winter athletes.
