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"I've been doing this for 22 years, OK," she said with a laugh. "Muscle memory is a thing. I might be better at snowboarding then I am at walking."

So, nah, "Didn't feel rusty."

Few could argue after watching Kim sail into the Olympic finals on Thursday, Feb. 12, by winning the morning halfpipe qualifying, on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Her showstopping, high-flying first run earned a 90.25 score, best among an Olympic field of 24 riders in the women's halfpipe – who each got two runs.

It was a statement from Kim, an unmistakable indication that this is still her stage and her medal to lose. And thatdislocating her shoulder last monthwon't be an insurmountable obstacle in the 25-year-old American's quest to become snowboarding's first back-to-back-to-back Olympic gold medalist.

"My shoulder has been really good. She's been very well-behaved, so I'm grateful for that," Kim said afterward. "We haven't had any hiccups. I've been working relentlessly on getting it as strong as possible, and obviously, the shoulder brace is really helpful."

Team USA advanced three of its four women's halfpipe entrants to the finals. Maddie Mastro (86.00) was third, looking every bit a legit medal contender, while Bea Kim (76.75) made it into the 12 finalists with a 10th-place finish.

Much of the attention, though, in this qualifying round was going to Chloe Kim, given her superstar status in the sports world and the recency of her shoulder injury. It reportedly wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was enough to sideline her from training during a time when Olympic snowboarders certainly don't want to be idle.

"A little disappointing," she said, "because, obviously, going to the Olympics, I want to be very, very ready and very prepared."

So it wasn't clear if shewouldbe ready. Questions about just what to expect from Chloe Kim in this first Olympic run were fair given the circumstances.

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Then she went out and crushed it.

She looked like, well, Chloe Kim. Such a rare talent on display. Few other competitors in this field would be able to match the height and amplitude Kim brings in the halfpipe.

It's a breathtaking sight. It was again this time, expected or not.

"Anyone who has been tuned into snowboarding for as long as Chloe Kim has been around knows that she's going to go all out, give everyone a show," USA teammate Bea Kim said. "That's what she did."

What's scary for the rest of this halfpipe finals field is Chloe Kim said she didn't even throw her best stuff in this introductory Olympics performance. Maybe a couple of aspects were in there that'll be in her planned finals run, she said, but much of what's to come hasn't been seen yet.

She also insisted that she isn't feeling as much pressure this time around, "because I'm just happy to be here – truly" after the shoulder injury put her 2026 Olympics in question.

"I'm just so happy that I made it," she said, "especially this time around. I honestly feel like I wasn't as nervous as the previous ones."

As for the possibility of producing snowboarding's first Olympic three-peat?

"I guess it's a cool title," Chloe Kim said in understated fashion. "But I think even after Beijing (in 2022), I'm so satisfied with my career. If you asked me before (the) shoulder injury, I'd maybe have a different answer for you. But just because I'm coming back from an injury, (and) obviously didn't get nearly the amount of reps I normally would get going into the Olympics, I'm just really proud of myself and proud that I've been able to push it as far I have.

"We'll see how it goes down tomorrow night, but I feel confident."

Reach sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@gannett.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Chloe Kim is different, and her 2026 Olympic debut reminded everyone

Drone cameras have been used at the Olympics before, but new technology is allowing first-person view drones to bring viewers closer to the action than ever before, particularly in winter events like the luge, skiing and snowboarding. This new level of detail has also come with some concerns, though it appears the dynamic views produced thus far are worth the potential problems.

"We look at this as an evolution of the sport. The expectation today is to have this kind of experience when you consume a sports event, even more so for the Olympic Games," IOC sports directorPierre Ducrey told Reuters earlier this week. "We strive to offer the best viewing experience whether in the stadium or outside."

Here's more on the drone cameras that are all the rage at the 2026 Winter Olympics:

Athletes have flocked to Italy to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. See the most stunning images from the Milano Cortina games.

Sofiia Dovhal of Poland and Wiktor Kulesza of Poland in action during the Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event Feb. 6, 2026.

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Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics

Athletes have flocked to Italy to compete in the2026 Winter Olympics. See the most stunning images from the Milano Cortina games.Sofiia Dovhal of Poland and Wiktor Kulesza of Poland in action during the Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event Feb. 6, 2026.

IN DEPTH:Curler Danny Casper living with Guillain-Barré syndrome at the Olympics

2026 Winter Olympics drone cameras, explained

Drone cameras have been used at the Olympics dating back at least a decade, but the development of first-person view drones has been deemed "a game changer" for the viewing experience byNBC officials, especially in speed sports.

These FPV drones can cover great distances and safely travel up to 75 mph while maintaining broadcast quality. They've also been used to provide aerial coverage as athletes move at high speeds. They weigh just 250 grams (or less than one pound), according to one Olympics drone operator featured inan NBC social media video.

The drone footage at the#WinterOlympicsyou've all been waiting for! 👏pic.twitter.com/GGGiX50b23

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics)February 10, 2026

Each drone is operated by a three-person team – a pilot, a director and a technician – that manage the camera's flight path,according to The Washington Post. The drone can go close to an athlete, but not over them. Each drone has a broadcast camera and broadcast transmitter attached to it.

Wired reportedthe FPV cameras are typically controlled by goggle-style camera views with intuitive controllers, like a virtual reality headset rig. As a result, these are the first Olympic Games to offer 360-degree real-time replay.

"When a camera is chasing the athlete down the hill – right in front of them or right behind them – you truly get the sense of how fast they're going," Michael Sheehan, the coordinating director for NBC's Olympic coverage, told The Washington Post. "That's virtually impossible to capture with a wide shot shooting from the side. The drone coverage takes us to a place we've traditionally never been."

The drone shots in NBC's alpine ski coverage have been such a game-changer. I've never watched an Olympics with such a clear view of how fast and how steep these downhill runs are. The drones help you feel that on a different level.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling)February 10, 2026

Why 2026 Winter Olympics drone cameras can be controversial

Though the dynamic camera angles created by FPV drones is giving fans a view of the Winter Olympics they've never seen before, it does comes with some potential drawbacks.

Most notably, the high-pitched whirring noise created by drones has been audible during broadcasts and it's ever-present for spectators attending outdoor events in which a drone camera is being utilized. It has led to social media complaints akin to the vuvuzela controversy at the 2010 World Cup.

Trying to watch the men's downhill ski in the@Olympicsand this drone they are using to follow the skiers is extremely annoying with the high pitch whine sound it outputs. I hate it

— KapG (@TheKapG)February 7, 2026

That constant drone noise at the Olympics is the new vuvuzela.pic.twitter.com/zT8rl5wMO3

— Lauri Hänninen (@Lahannin)February 8, 2026

Some athletes have also expressed concerns about how close these drones get to them while competing. So far, however, this hasn't created major problems.The BBC reportedone of the drones crash-landed in the first downhill skiing training session and left debris on the course.

"We tested drones before competitions, we have listened to the athletes' community ... so that the impact would not affect their performances, would not bother them in any way," Milano Cortina Olympics Sports Director Anna Riccardi told Reuters.

"Each athlete has a different level of sensitivity, awareness and capability for tackling innovation," she added. "So far we have not received any complaints that might lead to the non-use of drones in the future."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 Winter Olympics drone cameras: What to know, how they work

Super Bowl Football

Seattle's 29-13 victory over New Englandaveraged 124.9 million viewers on NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL+, according to Nielsen'sBig Data + Panelrating system.

That fell short of the 127.7 million U.S. viewers that tuned in for Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City last year on Fox.

However, Super Bowl 60 is the most-watched program in NBC history. The network is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Bad Bunny's halftime show averaged 128.2 million viewers from 8:15-8:30 p.m. Eastern. That would make it the fourth-most watched halftime behind Kendrick Lamar (133.5 million, 2025), Michael Jackson (133.4 million, 1993) and Usher (129.3 million, 2024).

Peak audience sets U.S. record

The audience for the game peaked at 137.8 million viewers during the second quarter (7:45-8 p.m. Eastern), which is a record. That surpassed the previous mark of 137.7 million during the second quarter of last year's Super Bowl.

This year's audience ended a streak where the last four Super Bowls had experienced audience increases. It is the fifth straight year the game has averaged over 100 million viewers.

After three straight years of Super Bowls that came down to the final minute, the last two have lacked excitement.

Sunday's game was the second in Super Bowl history in which a touchdown had not been scored in the first three quarters. Seattle was up 12-0 going into the final 15 minutes.

Last year's game was decided in the first half as Philadelphia built a 24-0 lead en route to a 40-22 victory.

Bad Bunny vs. Kid Rock

TheTurning Point USA halftime showfeaturing Kid Rock peaked at 5 million at one point on YouTube.

Nielsen did not measure any of the YouTube live stream viewership. Of the linear networks that carried it, the only one Nielsen measures is broadcast network Charge! Full Nielsen ratings for the prior week will be released on Wednesday.

According to YouTube figures though, there have been 21,208,583 views of the alternate halftime show through Tuesday night, according to the conservative organization's page. Bad Bunny's show has already had 61,311,972 views.

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Halftime show on social media

Total social media consumption of Bad Bunny's halftime show set a record of 4 billion views after the first 24 hours, according to the NFL and Ripple Analytics. That is a 137% increase over last year.

The social media figures include fans, owned platforms, broadcast partners and influencers.

The NFL said over 55% of all social views came from international markets.

Full global viewership for the halftime show is expected to be available early next week.

Spanish audience record

Telemundo averaged 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched Super Bowl Spanish-language broadcast in the United States. The Super Bowl has been televised in Spanish in the U.S. since 2014.

The audience peaked during the halftime show, averaging 4.8 million viewers — also making it the most-watched Super Bowl halftime in Spanish-language history.

Olympics benefit from Super Bowl

NBC's "Primetime in Milan" Olympic show, which featured the women's downhill and team figure skating events, averaged 42 million viewers, the network's largest Winter Olympics audience since Day 2 of the 2014 Sochi Games.

It also was a 73% increase from the Olympics show after Super Bowl 56 (24.3 million).

"The Super Bowl and the NFL once again delivered a blockbuster audience across the NBC broadcast network, Peacock and Telemundo, and provided an unprecedented lead-in to our Primetime in Milan coverage," NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said in a statement. "The Super Bowl and the Olympics are the two most powerful events in the world, and we salute our talented production, tech and announce teams who delivered best-in-class presentations for our viewers, stations and partners."

Other NFL figures

The NFL playoffs averaged 37 million viewers the first three weekends, up 5% from last year and the second-most watched in the last 10 years.

That followed a regular season that averaged 18.7 million, the second-highest since audience averages began being kept in 1988. It was a 10% increase from last season.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The move "is part of a shift to more fairly sharing responsibility within NATO, with European allies taking on greater leadership roles in NATO's command structure," NATO said in a statement ahead of a meeting of defense ministers this week. The statement also noted that the U.S. would continue to maintain the role of supreme allied commander Europe, or SACEUR, as part of "making clear the U.S. commitment to NATO command and control."

Last month, the Trump administration released its National Defense Strategy, which emphasized that NATO allies should take the primary responsibility for Europe's defense as the U.S. focuses more on defending the homeland anddeterring China.

Thelead author of that strategy,Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, is expected to attend the NATO Defense Ministerial this week, instead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This is the first NATO defense ministerial Hegseth has skipped since taking office.

The transition in leadership of the two commands is expected to take place gradually over the next few years.

A Pentagon official said the decision to transfer commands was "made jointly among all allies."

"The decision strengthens the alliance by showing European leadership in European defense and enhancing European defense capabilities," the official said in a statement.

The command in Norfolk, Virginia, has facilities on a larger installation that will remain under the control of the U.S. Navy when a U.K. officer assumes command. According to its website, it is NATO's newest operational command and focuses on protecting the Atlantic and the Arctic.

Italy will take over Joint Force Command Naples, while Germany and Poland will on a rotational basis share command of Joint Force Command Brunssum, currently led by Germany. Once the changes are made, all three Joint Force Commands that lead operations in crisis will be under European leadership.

The U.S. will take leadership of the Allied Maritime Command, which is currently led by a U.K. vice admiral. This means the U.S. will lead the three functional commands, Allied Maritime Command, Allied Land Command and Allied Air Command.

The SACEUR, commander of all NATO forces, is a position that has always been held by an American officer. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, who leads the 80,000 U.S. service members currently in U.S. European Command, is the current supreme allied commander.

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Trump criticizes Super Bowl halftime show, calling it "one of the worst"

• Jeffrey Epstein had planned an extensive renovation to his two private islands before his 2019 arrest.

• Designs in the newly released Epstein files include plans for a "ladies' residence" and an "isolated" master suite.

• Epstein fired the architect after seven months, and seemingly never began construction.

Hundreds of pages of emails, contracts, and renderings in the Epstein files give insight into his plans for the islands, one of which has become notorious for the sexual abuse that prosecutors allege occurred there, as well as an inside look into his exacting nature.

Over the course of eight months, Epstein paid at least $150,000 to Florida-based design firm Radyca for architectural and interior plans.

The remit: "My employer owns 2 islands in the Caribbean off of St. Thomas that he would like completely redone," one of Epstein's assistants wrote the firm in November 2017.

The work was supposed to begin in January 2019 and take two years, according to a December 2017 agreement. Epstein fired the firm in June 2018, emails show.

Ramon Alonso, the president of Radyca and Epstein's main point of contact for the work, declined to comment on the project or the island. He visited the island at least twice, according to emails and travel information included in the files.

A 'ladies' residence' and 'isolated' master bedroom

Various schematics, proposals, and designs — as well as the correspondence about them — reveal how Epstein imagined the properties.

The plans for the two islands included a "ladies' residence" and master retreat in proximity, as well as a cinema, a "funhouse point," and various other guest pavilions and outbuildings.

The ladies' residence was of particular interest to Epstein and the subject of dozens of emails between Epstein and Alonso, who discussed the appropriate structure for "the girls."

Epstein also gave several notes on the 7,700-square-foot master retreat. In one email, Alonso wrote that "we completely isolated the bedroom from any noise or daylight as requested." In another, Epstein said he didn't want guests above his bedroom and that his bedroom windows didn't need to open any more than to "air out the place."

The designs were inspired by luxury hotels, including the Soori Hotel in Bali and theAmanera in the Dominican Republic.

Throughout the process, tensions arose between the disgraced financier and his design team.

"i might add that the cost incurred to date. are mine. with virutally nothing to show for it," Epstein wrote in a May 2018 email, with his usual idiosyncratic punctuation.

In other emails, he called the designs "silly," said he was "shocked and disappointed," and told Alonso that the firm had created "nothing at all . of any use. ZERO."

By June 2018, relations appeared to reach a tipping point.

"Please understand that I don't mind changing direction as many times as it's needed to your full satisfaction and I also really like you and working with you but I don't appreciate when you diminish our work," Alonso wrote in an email to Epstein.

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Two weeks later, Alonso was fired.

"this is silly sorry i have no more time for this," Epstein wrote on June 30, 2018. "I wish you well."

It was the last correspondence between the pair in the files. About one year later, Epstein was arrested, and the FBI raided the island. Photos taken at the time show the redesign never occurred.

Little St. Jeff's: A notorious island

Little St. James was central to the disgraced financier'ssex-trafficking operation, according to witness testimony included in the US's 2019 case accusing Epstein of sexual abuse and trafficking of underage girls. Epstein pleaded not guilty and died by suicide in jail that year while awaiting trial.

The US Virgin Islands, where the properties are located, suedEpstein's estatefollowing his death, accusing him of sex trafficking and abusing underage girls on the islands. They reached a settlement in 2022, with the estate agreeing to pay the government of the Virgin Islands $105 million in cash, half the proceeds of a planned sale of Little St. James, and other damages. The settlement did not include any admission of guilt.

Epstein purchased the 72-acre Little St. James in 1998 for $7.95 million. In 2016, he added the 162-acre Great St. James to his portfolio for $22.5 million, according to deeds included in the Epstein files.Epstein's islandssold in 2023 for $60 million — less than half of the initial $125 million asking price. The buyer, billionaire Stephen Deckoff, has said he plans to transform them into a luxury resort.

Throughout his decades on the Little St. James — often referred to as Little St. Jeff's —Epstein hosted famousand powerful figures.

LinkedIn cofounderReid Hoffman, Google cofounder Sergey Brin, and Howard Lutnick had plans to visit Little St. James, according to emails in the latest batch of Epstein files.

The island had a reputation for parties and, in Epstein's words, "a ratio" of men to women that could make women "uncomfortable."

"What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?"Musk asked Epsteinin 2012 about the possibility of a visit that Musk said never occurred.

Over the years, Epstein embarked on several redesign projects, documents and emails included in the Epstein files show, hiring architects, surveyors, and decorators.

The renovations and redecoration of the islands were also a subject of the 2021 testimony of Ghislaine Maxwell's former executive assistant, Cimberly Espinosa, with one detail so unexpected that the judge had to follow up

"We even shipped in sand and palm trees and all kinds of things to get the island to what he wanted it to be," she said, answering the judge's questions about the scope of her work on the island.

"To be clear," the judge said, "you shipped in sand to a tropical island, why was that?"

"He wanted more sand on the beach," the former assistant said.

Jacob Shamsian contributed reporting to this story.

Read the original article onBusiness Insider