Eileen Gu Triumphs Again: Olympic Gold in Women’s Freeski Halfpipe
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina brought some serious excitement to the women’s freeski halfpipe final. Eileen Gu, skiing for China, defended her title with a wild show of grit and style.
Even with world No. 1 Zoe Atkin and world No. 2 Li Fanghui breathing down her neck, Gu managed to stay on top. She’s now officially the most decorated freestyle skier in history.
Eileen Gu’s Triumphant Victory
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The freeski halfpipe final turned into a nail-biter. Eileen Gu put her insane talent and nerves of steel on full display.
Zoe Atkin took the lead after the first run, so Gu had to pull out all the stops to get her title back. She threw down the two highest scores of the day on her second and third runs.
That sealed her third Olympic gold in this event. She now holds a jaw-dropping total of three gold and three silver medals.
Gu’s Winning Run
Gu’s gold-winning run was just wild—huge air and some pretty technical stuff. Her routine included:
- Right side 900
- Left side 900 tail grab
- Switch 720 tail grab
- Switch left side 720 Japan grab
- Consecutive alley oops – one 540 mute grab and one 540 critical grab
The judges loved the height and how clean her tricks looked. That’s really what put her ahead of everyone else.
Challenges and Competitors
The competition was intense. Atkin and Li Fanghui really pushed Gu.
Atkin led after the first run with a 90.50, flying 15 feet above the 22-foot wall of ice. Gu’s near-perfect second run scored 94.50 and put her in the lead.
Atkin’s last try didn’t quite get her there, so she took the bronze. Li Fanghui grabbed silver.
Zoe Atkin’s Performance
Atkin’s run was impressive, especially with the pressure she was under. She had a mental block with the alley-oop flat five but still landed a clean, technical routine.
She admitted she was a bit disappointed not to land every trick she’d planned. Still, her bronze really says a lot about her skill and drive.
Other Notable Competitors
Some of the other skiers had a rough day. Svea Irving, who’s ranked fourth in the world, was fighting a knee injury and couldn’t get a clean run. She ended up 11th.
Kate Gray, another American, landed a clean third run after crashing twice and finished 10th. You could see how much grit and heart these athletes have, even when things aren’t going their way.
The Road to Victory
Eileen Gu’s path to this win wasn’t exactly smooth. She competed in all three freeski events—slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air—so her schedule was brutal.
She looked exhausted, but her drive just wouldn’t quit. Gu even decided to add the big air event at the last minute, though she’d planned to focus only on halfpipe.
Scheduling Challenges
Gu called out the event scheduling, saying it forced her to miss key training sessions. That really shows just how complicated it can get to put together the Olympic schedule.
Still, Gu figured out how to handle it and come through when it mattered most.
Gu’s Legacy
With this win, Gu’s place as a trailblazer in women’s skiing is basically set in stone. Her success isn’t just about gender—she’s showing off real competitive power and mental toughness.
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I’d bet she’s going to keep leading and pushing the sport forward, inspiring a whole new generation of skiers.
The Future of Women’s Freeski Halfpipe
The 2026 Games felt like a turning point for women’s freeski halfpipe. The level of competition was just off the charts.
Joe Schuster, Atkin’s coach, even said it was the highest level of women’s halfpipe skiing he’s ever seen.
Inspiration and Progress
Gu’s win—and the whole event, really—shows how far women’s freeskiing has come. The athletes’ passion and skill are opening new doors for the sport.
It’s hard not to feel excited about where things are headed as more young skiers start looking up to these stars.
Looking Ahead
The sport keeps moving forward. Right now, everyone’s talking about nurturing talent and making space for more women in skiing.
Athletes like Eileen Gu and Zoe Atkin have already set the bar high. Their achievements give the next generation something real to build on.
I mean, who knows what’s next? Women’s freeski halfpipe feels wide open, and honestly, the possibilities could be endless.
For more details on Eileen Gu’s performance and the 2026 Winter Olympics, check out The New York Times.