Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin secured her first world championship title in the freeski halfpipe on the final day of the competition in Engadin, Switzerland. The 22-year-old’s victory marked the pinnacle of her career so far, completing a full set of World Championship medals after claiming bronze in 2021 and silver in 2023.
Atkin’s triumph came after a dramatic competition. Her first run ended in a fall, leaving her in ninth place while China’s Li Fanghui took an early lead with a score of 90.25. However, Atkin delivered an exceptional second run, achieving the highest altitude of the day and earning a 93.50, narrowly edging out Li, who finished just 0.5 points behind with 93.00. Canada’s Cassie Sharpe secured bronze with a score of 88.00.
Atkin later reflected on her victory, expressing excitement at becoming a world champion. She explained that after securing bronze and silver in previous years, her goal for this season was to go for gold. She also acknowledged the challenges she faced, including overcoming mental barriers and perfecting new tricks, which ultimately paid off in her final performance.
Her victory in Switzerland capped off an outstanding season in which she jointly won the overall World Cup title with Li in the women’s halfpipe. The trophy was the first time the prestigious crystal globe had been shared, with both Atkin and Li securing one win, two second-place finishes, and a fifth-place result during the season.
Born on January 16, 2003, Zoe Atkin has been a standout talent in the freeskiing world from an early age. She holds dual British and American citizenship and has competed for Great Britain throughout her career, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Izzy Atkin.
Atkin made her professional debut at age 14 and won her first World Cup gold at Copper Mountain in 2019 when she was just 16 years old. She quickly established herself as a top contender, winning bronze at the 2021 World Championships in Aspen and later competing in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, where she qualified for the halfpipe final in fourth place and finished ninth overall.
Her success continued in the following seasons. During the 2022-2023 competition cycle, Atkin claimed silver at the 2023 World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, and took home gold in the superpipe at the 2023 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. She followed that performance with another silver at the X Games in 2024 before sharing the crystal globe title with Li in 2025.
Despite her demanding career in professional freeskiing, Atkin has also pursued higher education. She enrolled at Stanford University in 2022 and continues to compete at an elite level while balancing her academic commitments. She grew up in the United States, having been born in Newton, Massachusetts, and later moved to Park City, Utah, to train alongside her sister.
Her background is a blend of cultures, as she was born to an English father and a Chinese-Malaysian mother. Alongside her sister Izzy, Atkin has proudly represented Great Britain from a young age, making a significant mark in international freestyle skiing competitions.
Atkin’s victory at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2025 solidifies her status as one of the top halfpipe skiers in the world. After years of dedication and hard work, she has finally reached the top of the podium, achieving a goal she had set for herself at the start of the season.
With her world championship win and World Cup title, Atkin’s future in the sport looks incredibly promising. As she continues to refine her skills and push the limits of freeski halfpipe, fans can expect more spectacular performances in the years to come.
