Olympic champion Gu Ailing clinched victory in the freeski halfpipe competition at the Snow League on Saturday, leading a historic all-China women's podium at Zhangjiakou's Genting Snow Park. Teammates Zhang Kexin and Li Fanghui secured silver and bronze, respectively, marking a dominant showcase of Chinese talent in winter sports.
Gu, competing in her first halfpipe event in nearly a year, described her home-soil triumph as emotionally significant: "Returning to Chongli – it's almost my 'home course' – and winning here again feels amazing. The support from Chinese fans makes this extra special."
The invitation-only Snow League, operating independently of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), featured a head-to-head elimination format that tested athletes' consistency. Chinese skiers demonstrated exceptional form throughout, with Gu defeating Li in semifinals while Zhang overcame American rival Svea Irving.
In the best-of-three final, Gu sealed victory with two flawless runs. The 22-year-old Stanford student emphasized team camaraderie: "We've pushed each other for years. Sharing this podium in China with Zhang and Li represents our collective growth in the sport."
The event highlights China's rising prominence in freestyle skiing as the nation continues developing world-class winter sports facilities following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
