China's freestyle skiing sensation Gu Ailing cemented her dominance in the FIS World Cup circuit on January 18, 2026, securing her record-extending 20th victory with a commanding slopestyle win in Laax, Switzerland. The double Olympic champion scored 85.13 points in her first run – a 13-point lead over American silver medalist Marin Hamill – demonstrating technical mastery of the innovative course featuring spherical rails and a specialized "butter pad" jump.
This triumph holds particular significance as Gu prepares for next month's Milan-Cortina Winter Games, where she aims to upgrade her 2022 Beijing Olympic slopestyle silver to gold. "Every element here felt like preparation for the ultimate test," the 22-year-old star told reporters after her victory.
While Gu shone on the slopes, other Chinese athletes made strategic advances. Snowboarder Su Yiming secured the final qualification spot in men's slopestyle despite technical challenges, earning a chance to compete in Sunday's final. Veteran halfpipe specialist Cai Xuetong added bronze to China's medal tally with a solid 75.25-point performance.
The Laax events underscore Asia's growing influence in winter sports, with athletes from the Chinese mainland, Japan, and the Republic of Korea claiming podium positions. As the world turns its attention to the 2026 Winter Olympics, Gu's consistent performance positions her as a central figure in China's quest for snow sports excellence.
