LIVIGNO, Italy – Eileen Gu is facing more challenges at her second Winter Olympics compared to her remarkable debut in Beijing, yet her silver medal celebration in the big air event reflects her determination and passion for the sport. Competing against a tougher field of freestyle skiers, Gu, who represents China despite being born in the United States, was unable to secure a repeat of her gold medal performance but still impressed with her skills.
The competition was fierce, with Canada’s Megan Oldham taking gold after executing impressive tricks, while Italy’s Flora Tabanelli earned the bronze. Gu posted an impressive score of 90.00 with a double cork 1440 in her first run, but a less successful second run put her in a challenging spot leading into the final.
Athletes in the big air event have three attempts, and only their two highest scores count. Gu concluded her performance with a stunning left side double cork 1260, which earned her an 89.00. As she celebrated her run, her position as silver medalist was solidified, standing proud behind Oldham.
This silver adds to her slopestyle medal, marking her as a significant competitor in these Games. Gu is set to chase another medal in the halfpipe event, where she is the reigning gold medalist. After the Olympics, she plans to re-enroll at Stanford University as a junior, balancing her athletic and academic pursuits.
The big air final faced delays of 75 minutes due to hazardous weather, including snow and wind gusts up to 18 miles per hour. However, as conditions improved, competitors still showcased gravity-defying tricks. Among them, Muir aimed for a remarkable left-side double cork 1620 but was unable to land the hefty trick on her final run—an echo of Gu’s own triumphant landing four years prior.
Unfortunately, Swiss skiers Anouk Andraska and Mathilde Gremaud withdrew from the finals due to injuries sustained during training. Gremaud, who recently secured gold in slopestyle, suffered a hip injury and her participation in the upcoming halfpipe event remains uncertain.
Overall, Gu’s performance leaves fans hopeful as she aims for another chance at Olympic glory, showcasing her resilience and commitment to the sport amidst challenging circumstances.