Chinese freeskier Zhang Kexin secured a silver medal at the FIS World Cup in Calgary on January 4, 2026, demonstrating strong form ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The 19-year-old athlete scored 84.20 points in her first final run, holding off fierce competition to claim second place behind Australia's Indra Brown.
Three of four Chinese athletes qualified for the finals, with teammate Li Fanghui initially leading qualifications. Despite technical errors costing Li a podium finish, her aerial amplitude and grab technique showcased the depth of China's freestyle skiing program. 'This result gives me confidence for the Olympic preparations,' Zhang told reporters after the event.
The competition marked an important milestone in China's winter sports development, particularly in snow events where the nation has made significant investments since hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. With Olympic champion Gu Ailing absent from this event, emerging athletes like Zhang and Li are positioning themselves as strong medal contenders for 2026.
