Qi Guangpu of China soared to his second men's gold medal at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Aerials World Cup in Lac-Beauport, Canada, on Sunday, following his victory on Saturday. His back-to-back triumphs showcase China's rising dominance in the sport of aerial skiing.
Six Chinese athletes advanced to the finals, with four making it through the first round. In the initial final, Qi delivered a stellar performance, earning 121.24 points—the second-best among his compatriots and third overall. He trailed only fellow Chinese skier Li Xinpeng, who scored 122.57 points, and Canada's own Emile Nadeau, who led the qualifiers with 124.34 points.
In the second final, Qi outperformed all competitors, achieving a total score of 110.56 points. He led in the air with a score of 5.80 and excelled in form with 13.60 points. His compatriot Wang Xindi matched his landing score of 7.90 and secured the silver medal with a total of 105.88 points. Nadeau claimed the bronze with 95.98 points, bringing pride to the home crowd.
On the women's side, China's Xu Mengtao concluded her competition in the first round, placing 11th among the 12 skiers. However, teammate Shao Qi advanced to the second final and achieved a commendable fourth-place finish.
Laura Peel of Australia clinched the gold medal in the women's finals with a score of 102.17 points. American skier Karenna Elliott took the silver with 87.42 points, while another Australian, Airleigh Frigo, earned the bronze with 76.85 points.
The outstanding performances by Qi Guangpu and the Chinese team highlight the nation's growing presence in international winter sports. Their achievements in Lac-Beauport set an exciting tone for the remainder of the FIS Aerials World Cup season, promising thrilling competitions ahead.
Reference(s):
China's Qi Guangpu wins back-to-back gold at FIS Aerials World Cup
cgtn.com
