Eileen Gu defends halfpipe gold for 6th career Olympic medal

LIVIGNO, Italy — Perhaps the most stunning thing about Eileen Gu’s entire gold medal day was that she lost her balance on the first lap of her first run.

Maybe she’s mortal?

But maybe not as Gu defended his Olympic skiing halfpipe title on Sunday to win six medals in six events during his Winter Games career.

“She’s ‘Wonder Woman,'” said New Zealander Mischa Thomas.

Gu, 22, born in the United States but competing for her mother’s native China, is already the most decorated freestyle skier in the sport’s short Olympic history. She also won two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, in addition to two gold medals and one silver at the Beijing Games.

“The reason I love these records so much is that it’s not about a man or a woman,” Gu said. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female. … It speaks to competitive strength, 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 with his second run, a clean and technically sound pass. She improved further on her final run – pumping her ski poles after nailing the final trick – and finished with a score of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver and Britain’s Zoe Atkin finished third.

“She’s unreal,” Thomas said of Gu. “It’s pretty crazy how good she is.”

The event was postponed until Sunday following a major snowstorm the night before. It was a bright and sunny day as Gu shined in the final event at Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the sun to get a glimpse of her winning score – and immediately liked what she saw.

There were quite a few Gu fans at the base of the half-pipe, holding up photos of her and waving flags.

“Being able to lead the way and be a pioneer in this sport is something I never imagined I could do,” Gu said. “But I’m really honored and proud to have done it.”

Atkin, an American-born skier representing her father’s native Britain, climbed high throughout the competition, reaching 5.4 meters (18 feet) above the pipe at one point. She finished ninth at the Beijing Games, but since then has been a regular presence on World Cup podiums. She has three victories in the last four years, all in events Gu did not compete in.

Atkin, 23, is the reigning world champion.

“[Gu] is a very good competitor. She’s a truly incredible skier,” said Atkin, whose sister, Isabel, won an Olympic bronze medal in downhill skiing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. “We also have an amazing group of skiers. I think the level is really unmatched and I think it’s really special. I think it’s really exciting to watch for the next few years to come. »

Canadian Amy Fraser echoed this.

“She’s a great skier and she raises the level of 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 fell in the half-pipe and dropped her phone. It had to be collected for Thomas. After the competition, she said: “My phone is great. It’s never been better.”

Svea Irving was a “DNS” — did not start — during 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 round with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, Gu lost his balance on his first lap and cut the race short.

Cassie Sharpe of Canada missed the final after a serious fall during Thursday’s qualifying round. She won gold in the event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver four years later in Beijing.