Gu Ailing is a leading figure in freestyle skiing in China, and she has a brilliant record in several events, winning the halfpipe for three consecutive years.
However, in the final of the Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe World Cup Mammoth Mountain on February 3, 2024, the competition was cancelled due to bad weather, and Gu Ailing could only finish second in the qualifying round to win a silver medal, ending her gold medal record. Although there are some regrets, Gu Ailing was not discouraged, she chose to return home, spend the New Year with her grandmother, and enjoy the warmth of the family.
Mammoth Mountain is the third and final stop of the season at the Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe World Cup. Gu Ailing won gold medals in the first two races in Aspen, USA and Calgary, Canada, and in the qualifying round of Mammoth Mountain, Gu Ailing did not disappoint, she finished with 83A high score of 50 points ranked second, behind Canadian first-class Amy Fraser, and successfully advanced to the final. Gu Ailing is expected to win the title again in the final to continue her glory.
However, just one day before the finals were about to start, the weather in Mammoth Mountain suddenly changed, and the harsh conditions such as strong winds, heavy snow, and low temperatures made the competition venue unable to guarantee safety, and the organizing committee had to make a difficult decision: cancel the finals and use the results of the qualifying round as the final results. This means that Gu Ailing can only win one silver medal, while Amy Fraser will win the World Cup for the first time. This is also the first time in more than four years that Gu Ailing has missed the gold medal in the World Cup halfpipe after finishing the competition.
Gu Ailing did not show too much disappointment or dissatisfaction with such a result, she said that this is the rule of the competition, she respects the decision of the organizing committee, and also congratulates her opponent on the performance. She has already won titles in all three events, breaking her own record, and she doesn't need to prove anything. At the moment, I just want to enjoy skiing and not be frustrated by the loss of a race, a silver medal, a record.
After the competition, Gu Ailing returned home and spent the New Year eating dumplings with her grandmother to feel the warmth of the family.
Gu Ailing is not only a legend of freestyle skiing, but also the pride of Chinese sports, and a role model for young people. Netizens cheered for Gu Ailing and wished her good results in the Beijing Winter Olympics, won glory for the country, and skated for herself.