The 2023/24 FIS Freeski halfpipe World Cup season opened on an incredible high on Saturday in China.
Eileen Gu Takes The Win In Secret Garden Again
Eileen Gu, the 20-year-old freeskier from China, made a triumphant comeback to the world of freestyle skiing, clinching victory in the halfpipe event at the FIS World Cup in Secret Garden. This marked Gu’s first competition after an 11-month absence due to injury.
Ever since her stunning performance at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, where she won gold in pipe and big air, as well as a silver in slopestyle, Gu has become a beloved celebrity in China. The pressure and attention that come with being a national icon did not faze her, as she effortlessly handled the expectations placed upon her.
Despite the long hiatus, Gu left no doubt about her dominance in the competition. After an impressive first run, she elevated her performance in the second run, executing her signature tricks flawlessly. Starting with a right 900 Buick, Gu continued with a right 720 opposite tail, a switch left 360 Japan, and a left alley-oop flatspin 540 mute. She finished her winning run with the right-side version of the same trick, adding a safety grab for good measure.
Gu’s exceptional performance earned her a score of 94.25, securing a resounding victory with a comfortable lead of 12 points over second-place finisher Hanna Faulhaber from the United States. Following her remarkable win, Gu expressed her joy and gratitude, stating, “Coming back and having my first competition here in Secret Garden after 11 months out of the bib, it’s a dream come true.”
Gu also acknowledged the impact of her success on snowsports in China, particularly among young people. She expressed pride in seeing the passion and enthusiasm that has been cultivated since the Beijing Olympics in 2022. Gu’s influence has inspired a new generation of girls who have taken up skiing and snowboarding.
Hanna Faulhaber, the reigning World Champion, displayed her trademark amplitude throughout the competition but had minor mistakes in each of her runs. Her best performance came in the first run, where she showcased a massive tail grab, a left 900 safety, a right flare safety, a switch right 720 safety, and a left 540 Japan, earning her a score of 82.25 and a well-deserved second-place finish.
Completing the women’s podium was Canada’s Amy Fraser, who impressed with her bold tricks. Fraser’s run included a switch 900 safety, a switch left 540 tail, a switch right 720 safety, a left flair tail, and back-to-back 900s (right and left). Her score of 79.25 secured her third place.
Ferreira Powers To Fifth World Cup Win
Veteran freeskier Alex Ferreira once again showcased why he is considered one of the best in the business. With an exceptional performance, Ferreira secured his fifth World Cup victory in the halfpipe event at Secret Garden, the same pipe where he claimed Olympic bronze just under two years ago.
From his first run to his last, Ferreira attacked the pipe with precision and confidence. His winning run earned him a score of 91.00. Starting off with a switch left 1080 tail, he followed it up with a massive right double 1620 cindy, a left 1080 tail, a switch right double 1080 Japan, and finished with a bang by stomping a left double 1620 safety on his final hit.
After his impressive victory, Ferreira expressed his gratitude to the organizers and pipe cutter, Alli Zehetner, saying, “First off, I just want to thank Secret Garden for putting together this awesome venue, and to Alli for cutting this pipe. I’ve been training really hard, and everything’s just unfolding in front of my eyes exactly how I envisioned it.”
Taking second place behind Ferreira was the breakout star of the competition, 15-year-old Luke Harrold from New Zealand. In his debut World Cup event, Harrold displayed remarkable poise and composure that is typically seen in seasoned athletes. His podium-worthy second run included a switch right alley-oop double 900 critical, a switch left alley-oop double 900 mute, a switch left double 1080 safety, a right double 1260 safety, and a left double 1260 safety. Harrold earned a score of 89.25 and left an indelible mark on the sport.
Completing the podium in third place was Hunter Hess from the United States. Returning to the site of his first World Cup podium in 2019, Hess delivered an exciting and creative run. Starting with a switch left 720 safety blocked out to 540, he continued with a switch right 720 mute, a left double 1260 Japan, a right double 1260 double Japan, and finished with a mind-bending misty 540 mute inspired by snowboarding’s McTwist. Hess’s performance earned him a score of 88.75 and the admiration of the crowd.
