LIVIGNO, Italy — You haven’t seen anything yet.
That was Alessandro Barbieri’s message after the 17-year-old American finished fourth in the Olympic men’s halfpipe qualifier on Feb. 11 at Livigno Snow Park.
Barbieri, the highest finisher of the three Americans who advanced into the 12-man final on Feb. 13, posted an 88.50 on the third overall run of the competition. Though he’d ultimately finish behind Australian star Scotty James (94) and Japan’s Yuto Totuska (91.25) and Ryusei Yamada (90.25), it was a highly encouraging Olympics debut for the confident youngster from Portland, Oregon.
And get this:
‘What I really have in my head is a 10. That was more like a six,’ Barbieri said. ‘I have a lot more in the tank. … I kind of expect myself to be near the top after all this hard work I’ve put. I’m pleased, but not too shocked.’
On a second run that set up more as a practice run, Barbieri suffered an odd fall, slipping after landing a trick and setting up for the next.
Barbieri’s big Olympic debut in Livigno happening in front of snowboarding legend Shaun White, who pointed to Barbieri as one to watch in these Games.
‘We need another guy like Shaun,’ Barbieri said. ‘We have really good snowboarders. Obviously, no one to the level of Shaun and his dominance. But we need the U.S. back on the podium or even on the top step.
Barbieri will be joined in the final by American teammates Chase Josey and Jake Pates, who finished 11th and 12th, making them the final two riders to advance out of the 25-man qualifying event after a tense wait until the finish line.
Josey, 30, fell on his second run after earning a 76.50 score on an initial run that was based largely on execution – he grabbed the board mid-air through his legs at one point – than high-flying acrobatics.
‘Those are the little things that the judges look for,’ Josey said, ‘and that’s what I’ve got to do to compete with some of these Japanese guys who are doing triples and really at the top of the game. I’m fighting for this opportunity to be in the finals, but it’s nice to see that run get rewarded.’
Pates, 27, fell on his first run and responded with a clutch performance, scoring 75.50 when he needed to exceed a 74 to move into 12th place, placing him right on the cut line.
From there, he and Josey each had to wait out nine more competitors.
‘When I was put into 12th. I had a crazy level of anxiety kind of come over me,’ Pates said with a laugh. ‘I’m just excited to be here and to be a part of this.’
A fourth Team USA rider in the field, Chase Blackwell, scored a 69 and finished 15th.