In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, Liu Mengting of China clinched her first-ever women's Freeski Big Air World Cup title at the Woerthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, this past Saturday. Her victory marks a significant milestone, making her the second Chinese freeskier to secure a Big Air World Cup title following Gu Ailing's win in Colorado during the 2020-21 season.
Liu dominated the competition with a remarkable performance, executing two Double 1080s in her initial two runs. Her impressive total score of 170.60 points narrowly edged out Italy's Flora Tabanelli by a mere 0.20 points, showcasing the fierce competition at the top level.
\"I'm so happy. My first World Cup win, it's so cool,\" Liu expressed her elation post-victory. Her journey to the podium began as the top qualifier, where she delivered flawless runs with a left double cork 1080 safety and a double cork 1080 in her second attempt.
Flora Tabanelli delivered a strong performance, scoring the highest run of the evening with 91.00 points for her left double cork 1260 safety. However, inconsistent scores in her subsequent runs prevented her from overtaking Liu. Despite the narrow miss, Tabanelli celebrated her third podium finish of the 2024-25 season, marking her fifth overall since advancing to senior competition in 2023.
Rounding out the podium was Germany's Muriel Mohr, who secured third place with 166.20 points. The competition also featured standout performances in the men's category, where New Zealand's Luca Harrington took the title with a commanding total of 182.60 points.
Liu Mengting's victory not only elevates her status in the freeskie world but also inspires a new generation of athletes in China and beyond to pursue excellence in extreme sports.
Reference(s):
Liu Mengting of China wins first freeski big air World Cup title
cgtn.com
