Beijing 2022: watch China’s Xu Mengtao claim gold at Freestyle Ski Aerials World Cup
- Xu Mengtao and Sun Jiaxu both win Canada as they continue to find form on the global stage ahead of the Winter Olympics
- With her second individual win of the season, Xu is big favourite to become Olympic champion
Chinese pair Xu Mengtao and Sun Jiaxu have laid down a challenge to their Winter Games rivals, after taking impressive wins in the finals of the FIS Freestyle Ski Aerials World Cup in Canada.
The duo’s performances continue their strong form as they head into next month’s Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Following the holiday break, the aerials World Cup tour, the first competition of the 2022 calendar year went down in impressive fashion, with China continuing to find form on the snow.
Xu Mengtao, who was on fire all day, lead the way in the women’s event and closed out the day with a remarkable Lay-Full-Full to snag 103.92 points and yet another victory.
With her second individual win of the season, Xu has made herself the biggest favourite to win gold at her home Games. Finishing behind Xu in second place was Canadian Marion Thenault, with China’s Kong Fanyu rounding out the women’s podium in third place.
For the 22-year-old Sun, it was his first victory in almost three years after he landed a stunning double Full-Full-Full to win.
His final effort of 120.81 points gave him the gold medal, with teammate Yang Longxiao taking silver with 119.91 and Switzerland’s Nicolas Gygax the bronze. Qi Guangpu and Wang Xindi made it four Chinese skiers in the top five, and Pirmin Werner of Switzerland was sixth.
The next leg of the season takes place in the Deer Valley in the USA on January 12, the final leg of competition before the Beijing Games.