China’s three-time world champion Cai Xuetong showcased her exceptional snowboarding skills to claim the silver medal in the women’s final at the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup held in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Friday.
This event marked the second stop of the five-part World Cup series for the season. The competition in Copper Mountain followed the opener in Zhangjiakou, China, two weeks prior, where athletes began their quest for the coveted titles.
The 31-year-old Cai started strong, securing third place with a score of 85.50 points after her first run. Demonstrating her experience and tenacity, she improved her performance in the second run, earning an impressive 88.50 points to move up to second place.
Japan’s prodigious 15-year-old Sara Shimizu stunned the field by taking the gold with a top score of 90.50 points, while her compatriot Mitsuki Ono completed the podium in third place. In a surprising turn, the USA’s two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim finished just outside the medals in fourth place during her season debut.
In the men’s competition, Japan dominated the podium with outstanding performances. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Ayumu Hirano clinched the top spot with a remarkable 97.00 points achieved in his third run, affirming his position as one of the sport’s leading talents.
The results in Colorado highlight the rising competitiveness of Asian athletes in snowboarding on the international stage. With strong showings from China and Japan, the remainder of the World Cup series promises to deliver thrilling performances and could reshape the dynamics of the sport.
Reference(s):
China's Cai earns silver in women's halfpipe at Snowboard World Cup
cgtn.com
