Kim Rides Again

In 2022, American snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim became the first woman to have won two Olympic gold medals in the halfpipe event. Soon, she’ll compete for her third. Kim spoke with TIME’s Sean Gregory as she prepared for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Games begin February 6, in Milan, Italy.

What’s new with you these days?

I’ve just been doing my thing. What else? There have been a lot of fun additions. I got a horse a couple years ago. I just got a pet snake.

Tell me about your pet snake.

Her name is Jelly Bean. She’s a ball python. I never thought I’d get a snake. But I felt little Jelly Bean, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, I feel this connection with this snake.”

What’s your goal for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

I don’t think I’m thinking about winning so much. There’s so much amazing emerging talent, it’ll just be such an honor to compete with the next generation.

What keeps you coming back?

Last season, I landed a double cork for the first time in competition. [A double cork is two off-axis × off-axis a snowboarding term for a move involving a spin or flip during which the athlete rotates in an off-center way (adjective) flips combined with spins.] That was a trick that I never thought I’d be able to do. I keep surprising myself.

When it comes to these Olympics, what are you most excited about?

I love Italy. I love the culture. I love the food. I’m also staying with my family this time. That’ll be really fun. I feel really chill. I know what to expect now, going into my third Games.

Any new tricks we should expect?

I do have a couple of new tricks. You’ll have to tune in to see them.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.