Eileen Gu Captures Gold in Stunning Halfpipe Performance
China's Eileen Gu soared to victory in the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics, securing her first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Games. Gu, who is already the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, delivered a breathtaking final run with a score of 94.75 to claim the top spot on the podium.
Zoe Atkin's Bronze Medal Matches Sister's Achievement
Great Britain's Zoe Atkin earned a bronze medal in the same event, marking Team GB's fifth medal of the Winter Olympics and equaling their previous best haul from the 2014 and 2018 Games. Atkin, who qualified for the final in first place, put up impressive air throughout the competition, reaching heights of 5.4 meters above the pipe.
Despite leading after the first run, Atkin fell behind after a crash on her second attempt. She improved to a score of 92.5 on her third run but had to settle for third place behind the Chinese duo of Gu and silver medalist Li Fanghui.
Historic Moment for British Winter Sports
Atkin's bronze medal achievement is particularly significant as it matches that of her sister, Izzy Atkin, who won ski slopestyle bronze in 2018. The 23-year-old American-born skier, who competes for her father's homeland of Britain, has been a consistent presence on World Cup podiums since her ninth-place finish at the Beijing Games.
The competition, which was postponed from Saturday due to heavy snow in Livigno, took place under bright sunshine on Sunday morning. Atkin's performance helped Team GB officially record their most successful Winter Olympics ever, with three gold medals among their five total medals.
Chinese Dominance in Halfpipe Event
Eileen Gu's gold medal victory was complemented by Li Fanghui's silver medal performance, creating a Chinese one-two finish in the event. Gu, who was born in the United States but competes for her mother's homeland of China, now adds this gold to her impressive Olympic collection that includes two golds and three silver medals across two Games.
Li Fanghui improved her second run score to 93.0, just enough to edge out Atkin for the silver medal position. The Chinese athletes' performances demonstrated their country's growing strength in winter sports, particularly in freestyle skiing disciplines.
The women's freestyle skiing halfpipe final provided thrilling action and emotional moments, with athletes from different nations celebrating together after the competition. The event showcased the international nature of modern winter sports and the camaraderie that exists among elite athletes competing at the highest level.
