Chinese snowboarder Cai Xuetong narrowly missed a podium finish at the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup in Colorado on December 19, 2025, placing fourth in a tightly contested women's final. The three-time world champion demonstrated technical precision in her first run, scoring 71.75 points to temporarily hold second place.
Despite a strong start, Cai's second run unraveled after her third trick, leaving her reliant on the initial score. Teammate Wu Shaotong faced similar challenges, finishing eighth overall. The competition saw 17-year-old Choi Gaon from the Republic of Korea dominate with a 94.50-point second run – the only athlete to break the 90-point barrier this season.
Japan's Sena Tomita claimed silver (88.75), while U.S. rider Bea Kim secured bronze (75.52). The event highlights Asia's growing influence in winter sports, with athletes from the region claiming two of three podium positions.
Cai, currently ranked fourth in the World Cup standings, remains a strong contender for upcoming events leading to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her performance underscores China's continued investment in snow sports development since Beijing's 2022 Winter Games.
