Cai Xuetong, of China, makes a run in the halfpipe finals on December 11, 2021, during the US Grand Prix snowboarding event at Copper Mountain. Photo: VCG
Chinese snowboarding star Cai Xuetong and aerial skier Xu Mengtao clinched gold medals in two separate events in the US and Finland, prompting netizens to see their victories as a sign that China’s winter sports team is ready for success at the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
Cai kicked off the 2021-22 FIS halfpipe World Cup season in style by claiming victory at the season opener in Colorado, the US on Saturday. Cai put in an outstanding performance with two 900s and a final 80.50 points to pin down a gold medal at Copper Mountain in Colorado.
In the game with her main competitor, Japanese snowboarder Sena Tomita, Cai kept calm despite making a few mistakes and lagging behind in the first two runs. However, she managed to catch up in the third round with a steady performance that turned the result around for the Chinese star.
“I was really excited about the competition because last year we [Team China] only got the chance to train. So I’m excited to come back to compete again,” said Cai to FIS media after the competition. “I hope I can do well in every competition and head into the Olympics feeling confident.”
With the victory, Cai moves into a tie on the all-time FIS Snowboard halfpipe World Cup wins list – just two wins back of the 15 currently held by Tricia Byrnes of the US – while extending her lead on the all-time podiums rankings with her 28th World Cup top three in 38 events entered.
There was other good news – Team China also did well at the Aerials World Cup in Ruka, Finland, where skier Xu Mengtao was definitely a highlight at the event by clinching several medals.
After Xu, Jia Zongyang and Qi Guangpu won the first gold of the Mixed Aerials Team competition on December 3, Chinese athletes pinned down another gold at the Mixed Aerials Team competition on Saturday whose members included Xu, Sun Jiaxu and Qi.
Xu also clinched another gold medal in the second women’s individual competition in Finland with a high score of 99.49, her first personal championship of the new season.
“I want to win a championship in the Beijing Winter Olympics. This is my life’s ambition,” said Xu to media after the competition.
Cai and Xu’s success has also given netizens renewed belief in team China for the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“Hearing China making such good consecutive achievements, I really believe that we are ready for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,” posted a netizen on Sina Weibo.
Global Times
