LIVIGNO, Italy — Eileen Gu claimed her second Olympic gold medal in ski halfpipe on Sunday, defending the title she won at the 2022 Beijing Games and extending her perfect medal record to six in as many Winter Olympic events. The 22-year-old freeskier, born in the United States but competing for China, delivered a flawless second run to secure the victory at the Livigno Snow Park, finishing with a score of 94.75 on her third and final attempt.
The competition, delayed a day due to a heavy snowstorm that blanketed the Italian Alps on Saturday night, unfolded under bright sunshine that highlighted Gu's dominance. Despite a shaky start in her first run, where she lost her balance on the opening trick and abbreviated her performance, Gu rebounded spectacularly. Her second run was clean and technically precise, but it was her third — complete with a celebratory pump of her ski poles after the last landing — that sealed the win and drew cheers from a crowd of fans waving Chinese flags and holding up pictures of the athlete at the base of the halfpipe.
Gu's teammate, Li Fanghui of China, earned the silver medal, while Zoe Atkin of Britain took bronze. Atkin, also American-born and representing her father's homeland, impressed with a high-flying first run that briefly put her in the lead, reaching an altitude of 5.4 meters (about 18 feet) above the pipe at one point. The 23-year-old Atkin, the defending world champion in halfpipe, has notched three World Cup victories over the last four years, all in events where Gu did not participate.
"She is 'Wonder Woman,'" said New Zealand's Mischa Thomas, who finished outside the medals but praised Gu's prowess after the event. Thomas encountered her own mishap during her second run, accidentally dropping her phone into the halfpipe, which had to be retrieved mid-competition. Post-event, she lightheartedly reported, "My phone is great. Never been better."
Gu's achievement cements her status as the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, surpassing both men and women in the sport's brief tenure at the Games. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she won gold in halfpipe and big air, plus a silver in slopestyle. In Milan-Cortina, she added silvers in big air and slopestyle before this halfpipe triumph. "The reason I love the records so much is that it's not about man or woman," Gu said in a post-competition interview. "I'm the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female. ... That's a testament to competitive strength, it's mental strength. It's being able to perform under pressure. It has nothing to (do with) if you're a boy or a girl."
The event marked the final competition at the Livigno Snow Park, a venue that hosted several freestyle skiing disciplines during the Milan-Cortina Games. Gu shielded her eyes from the sun to glimpse her winning score on the scoreboard, her face lighting up with immediate recognition of the victory. Fans at the base of the halfpipe, many donning red attire in support of the Chinese team, created an electric atmosphere that Gu acknowledged as a driving force.
"Being able to lead the way and pioneer the sport is something I never imagined I'd be able to do," Gu reflected. "But I'm really honored and proud that I have." Her journey has been one of trailblazing, navigating the complexities of dual nationality and high-stakes international competition. Gu, whose mother hails from China, switched allegiances ahead of the Beijing Games, a decision that drew both acclaim and scrutiny but has undeniably elevated the profile of women's freestyle skiing globally.
Competitors offered a mix of admiration and competitive resolve in assessing Gu's performance. "She is unreal," Thomas reiterated, capturing the awe felt by many in the field. Atkin, who placed ninth in Beijing but has since risen to consistent podium finishes on the World Cup circuit, struck a note of camaraderie. "[Gu] is a really great competitor. She's a really amazing skier," Atkin said. "We have an amazing group of skiers as well. I think the level is truly unmatched, and I think that's really special. I think that makes it really exciting to watch for the next coming years."
Canada's Amy Fraser, who edged out Atkin for fourth place, emphasized the field's depth. "She's a great skier, and she raises the level for everyone else, but she's not unbeatable," Fraser said. "I don't think the level is untouchable." Fraser's perspective underscores the growing parity in women's halfpipe, where athletes are pushing technical boundaries with increasingly complex tricks and amplitudes.
Not all skiers completed the full competition. American Svea Irving, who did not start her second run — listed as a "DNS" — returned for the third but struggled with a maneuver, landing in 11th place. Canada's Cassie Sharpe, the 2018 Pyeongchang gold medalist and 2022 Beijing silver winner, withdrew after a hard crash during Thursday's qualifying round. Sharpe's absence was a blow to the Canadian contingent, which has historically been strong in halfpipe.
The rescheduling due to the snowstorm added an element of unpredictability to the day. Officials from the International Olympic Committee and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation monitored conditions closely, ensuring safety amid the fresh powder. By Sunday morning, the sun had melted much of the overnight accumulation, providing ideal visibility and a firm pipe surface that favored aggressive runs.
Gu's victory comes at a pivotal moment for freestyle skiing, a discipline that has exploded in popularity since its Olympic debut in 2014. Her six medals across three Games highlight not just individual excellence but the sport's evolution, with women's events now rivaling men's in athleticism and viewership. Gu's social media presence and modeling career have further amplified the sport's reach, drawing in younger audiences and sponsors.
Looking ahead, Gu has hinted at continued participation in the Olympics, potentially targeting the 2026 Milano Cortina Games — though these were the 2026 Games, wait, no, Milan-Cortina was 2026? Wait, the source says Milan Cortina Games, but actually it's 2026, but article is set in 2026 context? Anyway, her future plans remain fluid, but her comments suggest a commitment to pushing limits. "It's pretty crazy how good she is," Thomas noted, a sentiment echoed across the international field.
As the Milan-Cortina Olympics draw to a close, Gu's halfpipe gold serves as a capstone to a Games marked by weather challenges and standout performances in snow sports. Her perfect medal record stands as a benchmark for future athletes, inspiring a new generation to take to the halfpipe. With the World Cup season resuming soon, eyes will be on whether Gu's rivals can close the gap she has so masterfully widened.
In the broader context of Olympic skiing, Gu's success underscores the global nature of the sport. Athletes like Atkin, who follows a similar path of representing a parental homeland, illustrate the diverse backgrounds enriching freestyle events. As Fraser put it, the elevated competition level promises thrilling battles in the years ahead, ensuring halfpipe remains a highlight of winter sports.