FILE PHOTO: Mar 16, 2021; Aspen, Colorado, USA; Ailing Eileen Gu of China competes during the finals of Freeski Big Air of the 2021 FIS Aspen Snowboard & Freeski World Championships. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
January 9, 2022
(Reuters) – China’s Eileen Gu capped the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season with a perfect record in women’s halfpipe after a triumph at Mammoth Mountain in California on Saturday to capture the first crystal globe of her career.
The 18-year-old reigning world champion, who was born in the United States but will represent China at next month’s Beijing Olympics where she is tipped to win gold, delivered a pair of solid runs and finished with a best of 97.50.
Former halfpipe world champion Kelly Sildaru (92.50) of Estonia finished second while American Brita Sigourney (87.75) took the bronze medal.
Gu will head to the Feb. 4-20 Beijing Olympics full of confidence as she is a perfect four-for-four in halfpipe World Cup action this season.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Source: One America News Network
