Freestyle skiing superstar Gu Ailing finally won gold at the Milan/Cortina Olympics as China overcame a fall to dominate the halfpipe competition on Sunday’s closing day.
After winning silver medals in the big air and slopestyle events, Gu fell in the first round, but then showed her level in the second and third rounds, winning the gold medal with a score of 94.75.
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The silver medal also came to China as Li Fanghui, who scored 93.50 points. World champion Zoe Atkin of Great Britain won the bronze medal with a score of 92.50.
The 22-year-old American-born Gu has won back-to-back gold medals in the event and now has a total of six Olympic medals, one gold and three silver, making him the best skier ever to compete at the Olympics.
“The reason I love these records so much is it’s not about men or women. I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female.
“I have the most gold medals ever, male or female. It’s a testament to competitive strength, it’s mental strength. It’s the ability to perform under pressure, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl.”
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“Being able to lead this and be a pioneer in this sport is something I never imagined, but I’m truly honored and proud.”
However, after the game, Ms. Gu received some sad news. She learned that her grandmother Feng Guozhen passed away.
The Chinese skier apologized for the late press conference and revealed she received the news shortly after the race.
“The reason I’m late is that I just learned that my grandma passed away. She was a very important part of my growth and someone I respect very much,” Gu said with tears.
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“She was a fighter. I think it’s interesting that a lot of people just sail through life, but she was a steamship. This woman took charge of life, she took hold of it, she made it what she wanted it to be. She was a huge inspiration to me,” she added in a touching tribute.
Atkin, meanwhile, followed the example of her sister Isabel Atkin, who won a slopestyle bronze medal in 2018 after leading qualifying and scoring the first of three points in the final.
“Winning a bronze medal for her after eight years means a lot. I’ve been thinking about it. It means a lot to finally see it happen and have a medal around my neck,” she said.
Looking at her best final run, she said: “It wasn’t exactly the run I wanted to do, but I’m glad I was able to put it down under pressure.”
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to bad weather.
