Nick Goepper Injury Update: American Freeskier Sprains Knee After Halfpipe Crash

Livigno, Italy – U.S. Freeskier Nick Goepper sustained a knee sprain and a bruised shin after a fall during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday, February 20, 2026, officials confirmed.

What Happened to Nick Goepper?

Goepper crashed on his final run of the day, landing heavily on his back. The fall appeared serious and he remained motionless for a period before being assisted off the course. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Goepper’s Condition and Recovery

Fortunately, Goepper’s injuries were not as severe as initially feared. According to Team USA officials, he was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with a diagnosis of a sprained knee and a significant shin bruise [Associated Press].

A Career Transition

This year’s Olympic competition marked a significant shift for Goepper, who previously specialized in freeski slopestyle. After a 10-month retirement following the last Olympics, he transitioned to halfpipe skiing [USA Today]. Despite the change, he nearly secured a bronze medal, finishing in fourth place with a score of 89, just behind Canada’s Brendan Mackay who scored 91.

Teammate Support

Fellow American freeskier Alex Ferreira, who won gold in the event, praised Goepper’s courage and competitive spirit. “Nick’s got huge balls,” Ferreira said, adding that Goepper “went for it” and “regret[ted] nothing” despite the crash [USA Today]. Ferreira similarly noted Goepper was in considerable pain but remained tough.

Other Olympic Injuries

Goepper was not the only athlete to suffer a fall during the halfpipe competitions. Recent Zealand’s Finley Melville Ives was carried out after a qualifying fall and briefly lost consciousness, but was reported to be doing well. Canada’s Cassie Sharpe was also knocked unconscious during the women’s qualifier but avoided serious injury [Associated Press].

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.