Schaffrick, Barbieri Podium at Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe in Aspen
The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe World Cup got underway Friday at Aspen Snowmass’ Buttermilk Mountain, with Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athletes Maddy Schaffrick and Alessandro Barbieri earning podium finishes in a key Olympic qualification event.
In the women’s competition, Schaffrick delivered a confident performance to finish second overall. With results coming from athletes’ best score from two runs, Schaffrick set the tone early, laying down a strong opening run. The Colorado native was unable to improve on her first score but held firm to second place. It is Schaffrick’s first podium of the 2025-26 season and her fourth podium since her return to competition in 2024.
Schaffrick was thrilled about her result, performing in front of her hometown Steamboat Springs-based friends and family who came to Aspen to watch.
On the men’s side, Barbieri continued his upward trajectory with a third-place finish. The American put down a solid first run to put himself in podium contention, then raised the bar in his second attempt, improving his score to secure third in a competitive field stacked with international talent. It is his second career podium, having also taken a third place result at the Calgary Snow Rodeo in 2025.
Finals were stacked with American names, with Jake Pates finishing seventh, Ryan Wachendorfer eighth, Chase Josey ninth, Joey Okesson 10th and Levko Fedorowycz 11th.
Friday’s halfpipe event served as an Olympic qualification opportunity, with athletes earning valuable points toward Olympic team consideration. While U.S. Ski & Snowboard will not nominate the Olympic snowboard team until after the final World Cup in Laax, Switzerland Jan. 14-18, performances like those from Schaffrick and Barbieri underscore the momentum of the halfpipe program as the qualification window continues.
Competition at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Aspen continues through Saturday, with snowboard slopestyle at Snowmass and freeski halfpipe at Buttermilk.
