China’s Eileen Gu and Su Yiming take historic big air triumph at FIS World Cup
- Gu won her first freeski big air World Cup title to complete major international wins in all three freeski events this year
- Su became the first Chinese rider to stand on the podium in either big air or slopestyle
Chinese freestyle skiing sensation Eileen Gu nailed a trick no other woman has done before in competition as she took home her first Big Air World Cup title this weekend.
Less than a month after posting herself doing a freeski double cork 1440 during training in Austria, Gu performed the trick again on her way to winning at the Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado.
With a left double 1080 safety to Japan grab on her first run, and a right double 1260 safety grab in the second, the 18-year-old had already secured the top spot, making the final run a victory lap.
Instead of a pleasing trick for the audience, Gu stomped a right double cork 1440 to become the first woman to land the trick in any freeski competitions, and booked a total score of 184.25 combined with her first run.
“I made that decision [to do the double cork 1440] probably after I landed my second run,” Gu said. “I felt like I had done the best of my ability for the dub 1260 and I really wanted to push it.
“The boys were so inspiring out here throwing absolutely insane tricks, so I really wanted to represent the women as well and kind of step it up to the next level.”
Gu’s compatriot Su Yiming also shone at the event, claiming a title of his own.