LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Perhaps the most stunning part of Eileen Gu’s entire gold medal-winning day was when she lost her balance on the first stroke of her first run.
Maybe she’s mortal? But maybe not when Gu defended her Olympic skiing halfpipe title on Sunday, taking six medals in six events above her Career during the Winter Games.
“She is ‘Wonder Woman,’” said Mischa Thomas from New Zealand.
22-year-old Gu, born in America but competing for her mother’s homeland of China, is already the most decorated freeskier in the brief history of sport at the Olympic Games. She also captured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, combined with two gold medals and a silver medal at the Beijing Games.
“The reason I love records so much is because it’s not about man or woman,” Gu said. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female. … That’s a testament to competitiveness, it’s mental strength. It’s being able to perform under pressure. It has nothing to do (with) whether you’re a boy or a girl.”
Gu won the event thanks to her second run, a clean, technically sound pass. She got even better in her final run – pumping up his ski poles after landing the final trick – finishing with a score of 94.75.
Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver and Zoe Atkin of Great Britain came third.
“She’s unreal,” Thomas said of Gu. “It’s pretty crazy how good she is.”
The event was moved to Sunday due to a major snowstorm the night before. It was a clear, sunny day as Gu dazzled in the final event at the Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the sun to catch a glimpse of her winning score – and was immediately excited by what she saw.
There were quite a few Gu fans at the base of the halfpipe, holding up pictures of her and waving flags.
“Being able to take the lead and pioneer the sport is something I never thought I could do,” Gu said. “But I’m really honored and proud that I did that.”
Julia Demaree Nikhinson via Associated Press
Atkin, an American-born skier who competes for her father’s home country, Great Britain, soared high throughout the match, at one point as much as 5.4 meters (18 feet) above the pipe. She finished ninth at the Beijing Games, but has been a regular presence on the World Cup podiums ever since. She has three victories in the past four years, all in events that Gu did not compete in.
The 23-year-old Atkin is the defending champion.
“(Gu) is a really great competitor. She’s a really great skier,” said Atkin, whose sister, Isabel, won Olympic bronze in ski slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. “We also have a great group of skiers. I think the level is really unparalleled, and I think that’s really special. That makes it really exciting to watch in the coming years.”
Canadian Amy Fraser echoed that.
“She’s a great skier and she raises the level for everyone else, but she’s not unbeatable,” said Fraser, who finished fourth. “I don’t think the level is untouchable.”
During her second run, Thomas jumped into the halfpipe and dropped her phone. It had to be picked up for Thomas. After the match she reported: “My phone is great. Never been better.”
Svea Irving was a “DNS” – did not start – in the American’s second run. She returned for a third run but struggled to complete a maneuver and finished 11th.
Atkin took the lead after the first run with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, Gu lost her balance on her first stroke and ended the run.
Canada’s Cassie Sharpe dropped out of the final after a hard crash in Thursday’s qualifying round. She won gold in the event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver in Beijing four years later.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
