Chinese Olympic champion Gu Ailing cemented her dominance in freestyle skiing on Saturday, securing her third consecutive women's halfpipe title at the FIS Freeski World Cup in Zhangjiakou's Secret Garden Resort. The 22-year-old phenom overcame early competition from Great Britain's Zoe Atkin to deliver a show-stopping performance that captivated spectators amid falling snowflakes.
After scoring 85.25 points in her initial run, Gu elevated her second attempt with increased technical difficulty, earning a decisive 91.75 points – the highest score of the competition. The victory marks her third straight win at this Chongli District venue, reinforcing her status as a winter sports icon.
'This win means extra because I faced new mental challenges this season,' Gu told reporters after the event. The San Francisco-born athlete emphasized her strategic approach: 'Changing my training routine required real psychological resilience. Today proved I can trust my instincts under pressure.'
The competition saw strong Chinese representation with Zhang Kexin placing fifth (78.25 points) and Li Fanghui finishing ninth. As China continues developing its winter sports infrastructure ahead of future international events, Gu's consistent success serves as both inspiration and validation of the country's athletic programs.
