Olympic champion Gu Ailing made a triumphant return to competitive halfpipe this weekend, leading a Chinese podium sweep at the Snow League freeski event in Chongli, Zhangjiakou. Gu clinched gold ahead of teammates Zhang Kexin and Li Fanghui, marking her first halfpipe contest in nearly a year.
Held at Genting Snow Park in north China's Hebei Province, the invitation-only Snow League operates independently of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Its head-to-head elimination format pits riders in knockout rounds, demanding consistency and strategic flair at every turn.
Homecoming Victory
"To come back here in Chongli, almost like my 'home course', and win again feels amazing. I really enjoyed being back in the start gate," Gu reflected after her straight-run victory in the best-of-three final. In the semis, she defeated Li, while Zhang bested the United States' Svea Irving, securing both gold and silver spots before the medal round.
Li Fanghui then claimed bronze after outperforming Irving in the third-place contest. "It's really special to stand on the podium with Zhang and Li. We've known each other for many years and always push one another. To share this moment in a competition in China means a lot to me," Gu added.
Boosting Winter Sports and Tourism
The Snow League highlights the Chinese mainland's growing profile in global winter sports, leveraging venues from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and fueling a vibrant winter tourism industry in Hebei. As young athletes and fans around the world tune in, the event underscores a new era of competitive freeskiing and immersive winter experiences.
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Gu Ailing leads China's podium sweep in Snow League freeski halfpipe
cgtn.com
