As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics enter their final week, all eyes are on the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe event where China's Gu Ailing and Estonia's Kelly Sildaru prepare for a historic clash. Gu, who revolutionized winter sports with her triple-medal performance at Beijing 2022, currently holds two silver medals from earlier events at these Games.
The 23-year-old phenom from the Chinese mainland faces fierce competition from Sildaru, the 24-year-old slopestyle bronze medalist who has shifted focus entirely to halfpipe mastery. Their rivalry symbolizes the rapid global growth of women's freestyle skiing, with Asian and European athletes pushing technical boundaries.
"Freestyle skiing demands absolute precision," Sildaru told CGTN during training in Livigno. "A slight wind shift or misjudged rotation can change everything. That's what makes this sport electrifying – and why athletes like Gu inspire millions."
Both competitors carry unique pressures into Friday's final. Gu seeks to defend her Olympic title while expanding China's winter sports legacy, while Sildaru aims to deliver Estonia's first Winter Olympic gold. Their showdown comes as participation in women's freestyle skiing reaches record levels across Asia, with training programs in Japan and South Korea reporting 300% enrollment increases since 2022.
