Gu Ailing, a freestyle skier born in the United States representing China, secured her second successive Olympic gold medal in the female halfpipe event. Following an early withdrawal from her initial attempt, Gu made a strong comeback, achieving scores of 94.00 on her second run and 94.75 on her third.
Both scores were sufficient to claim the top prize on an emotionally charged day for Gu, who learned of her grandmother’s passing subsequent to the event.
The Chinese delegation claimed the top two positions on the podium, with Gu’s teammate Li Fanghui earning the silver medal thanks to her 93.00 score on her final run.
Zoe Atkin of Great Britain, a fellow student of Gu’s at Stanford, initially led after her first run but failed to recover after a missed landing on her second, despite executing jumps with the greatest height among all competitors. She ultimately secured the bronze medal.
Atkin achieved a score of 92.50 on her third run, placing her behind Gu and Fanghui, having previously topped the qualifying rounds.
Gu, who is 22 years old, has accumulated a total of six medals across two separate Winter Olympic Games, establishing her as the most decorated freestyle skier in the annals of Olympic history.
“To be able to blaze a trail and advance this sport is something I never thought I’d be able to accomplish,” Gu expressed after the halfpipe final. “But I’m truly honored and proud that I have.”
Emotion-Filled Gu Received News of Grandmother’s Death Post-Competition
After the competition concluded, Gu appeared at her press conference visibly distressed, having just been informed of her grandmother’s death. Gu conveyed that her grandmother served as a profound source of inspiration throughout her life, and that she was aware of her grandmother’s illness prior to the commencement of the Games.
“I just received word that my grandmother passed away,” Gu stated. “She played an incredibly significant role in my upbringing and was someone I deeply admired. She was a fighter. And what I find so fascinating is that while many people simply drift through life, she was akin to a powerful vessel.
“This woman commanded her existence; she seized control of it and molded it into what she desired. And she inspired me immeasurably.”
Gu’s Milan Cortina Medal Collection
At these Milan Cortina Games, Gu’s halfpipe gold medal joins the silver medals she secured in both slopestyle and big air events. She stood alone as the only freestyle skier to contend in all three disciplines, let alone to achieve medals in each of them. During the 2022 Beijing Games, Gu earned gold in both Halfpipe and big air, in addition to a silver in slopestyle.
“The reason I cherish these achievements so much is that they transcend gender,” Gu further elaborated. “I stand as the most accomplished freeskier of all time, regardless of whether male or female. I hold the highest number of gold medals ever, irrespective of gender. This demonstrates competitive prowess, mental fortitude. It’s about the capacity to perform effectively under duress.”
Having commenced her Olympic journey at such a youthful age, it appears highly probable that Gu will augment her remarkable medal tally in four years’ time at the 2030 Winter Games, set to take place in the French Alps.
Gu has also emerged as a contentious figure due to her decision to represent China, her mother’s birth country, despite her own birth in San Francisco. Her status as an accomplished athlete and captivating personality in both nations has enabled her to accumulate millions of dollars, with reported earnings of $23.1 million in 2025.
Team USA athletes Kate Gray (66.50) and Svea Irving (22.50) concluded the competition in 10th and 11th positions, respectively. Irving suffered a hard fall on her right hip during her initial run and consequently did not complete her third attempt.
The event on Sunday had been postponed from Saturday because heavy snowfall rendered the halfpipe course unsafe for competitive use.
