China’s Xu and Sun Shine Bright: Aerials Gold Medals at Lake Placid World Cup

Chinese skier Xu Mengtao shined at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Lake Placid, winning the gold medal in the women’s aerials event. Her fellow countryman, Sun Jiaxu, also took home the gold in the men’s competition.

On January 18, 2025, heavy snowfall made conditions tricky for many athletes. Some chose to perform easier jumps, but Xu stood out. In the second round, she executed a difficult jump with a difficulty rating of 3.525, earning an impressive score of 95.52 points for the victory.

Australian skier Danielle Scott finished just behind her with 95.17 points, while Canada’s Marion Thenault claimed third place with 90.94 points.

This win is significant for Xu, who has not competed frequently in World Cup events since her Olympic victory in Beijing. Last season, she only took part in the competition in Changchun. This victory sets a positive tone as she aims to qualify for her fifth Olympics.

The men’s competition also saw strong performances. Five Chinese skiers made it to the second round, with Sun Jiaxu finishing first at 136.17 points. He was followed by Switzerland’s Noe Roth, who scored 123.9 for silver, and China’s Li Xinpeng, who earned bronze with 118.1 points.

The exciting competition continues with the mixed team event scheduled for Sunday.