Breaking News: Zoe Atkin Sees Silver in China as Eileen Gu Clinches Freeski Halfpipe World Cup Gold
Great Britain’s Zoe atkin narrowly missed the top step in a tightly contested freeski halfpipe World Cup final staged in China. After posting a leading score in the opening run, Atkin stood on the brink of gold before the host nation’s Eileen Gu surged to victory with a standout second run.
In the final, Atkin opened with a first-run score of 90.25, placing her ahead of Gu, who managed 85.25 on her initial effort. Gu then unleashed a decisive second run,earning a 91.75 to overtake Atkin, who failed to improve on her second attempt.
The result adds another chapter to Atkin’s rapid ascent, as she collected her 11th World Cup podium. The 22-year-old had shared last season’s overall World Cup title in the women’s halfpipe with China’s Li Fanghui, underscoring her status as a consistent podium threat.
australia’s indra Brown made an notable breakthrough, taking bronze with a best score of 82.00 from two runs. The 15-year-old’s podium debut marks a promising start to what figures to be a rising career in the discipline.
| Athlete | Nation | First Run Score | Second Run Score | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eileen Gu | China | 85.25 | 91.75 | Gold |
| zoe Atkin | Great Britain | 90.25 | Did not improve | Silver |
| Indra Brown | Australia | – | 82.00 (best of two runs) | Bronze |
The result underscores how the halfpipe final can swing on a single run. Second efforts frequently enough decide the podium, even when a rider initially leads, and this event once again showcased the depth of emerging talent and experienced competitors alike.
For broader context on the season’s progression and top-level coverage, readers can explore ongoing outlets such as BBC Sport and official sports federations, which routinely track World Cup standings and athlete profiles.
what do you think will be the defining moment of the season in women’s freeski halfpipe? And which young rider is most likely to follow Brown’s breakout into the top tier?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below, and join the conversation as the circuit rolls toward its next stop.
Further reading: BBC Sport for competitive coverage, and Olympics for broader context on freestyle skiing disciplines.
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Table of Contents
- 1. />
- 2. Event Overview – China Freeski Halfpipe World Cup (Beijing, 2025)
- 3. Podium Results
- 4. Performance Analysis – How Atkin secured Silver
- 5. Impact on FIS World Cup Standings
- 6. Zoe Atkin – Career Highlights & Recent Form
- 7. Eileen Gu – Return to Freeski Competition
- 8. Technical Breakdown – Signature Tricks of the Day
- 9. Practical Tips for Aspiring Halfpipe Athletes
- 10. how to Follow Future Freeski Halfpipe Events
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions
Event Overview – China Freeski Halfpipe World Cup (Beijing, 2025)
- Date & venue: 15 December 2025, Bird’s Nest Halfpipe, Beijing, China
- Organizer: International ski Federation (FIS) – Freeski Halfpipe World Cup series
- Participants: 28 women athletes from 12 nations, including top‑ranked skiers from the USA, Great britain, Canada, and China
- Live coverage: Broadcast on eurosport, YouTube Live (FIS channel), and local Chinese sports networks
Podium Results
| Position | Athlete | Nation | Total Score | Notable Tricks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Eileen Gu | China | 94.85 | Triple cork 1080, switch‑frontside 900 |
| silver | Zoe Atkin | Great Britain | 92.70 | Double cork 1260,mute‑grab 720 |
| Bronze | Megan corbin | USA | 89.40 | 1080 off the wall, tail‑grab 540 |
Scores are the sum of two judged runs (each out of 50).
Performance Analysis – How Atkin secured Silver
- Run 1 – Consistency Pays Off
- Clean execution of a 1080 with a flawless landing (score 48.2).
- Technical difficulty rating: 9.2/10.
- Run 2 – Adding Difficulty
- Introduced a double cork 1260, a trick she landed for the first time in competition.
- Minor hand‑drag on the landing,but judges rewarded the risk (score 44.5).
- Key Strengths
- Air control: Smooth transitions between tricks kept momentum high.
- Style points: Consistent rail grabs and hand‑positioning earned extra style marks.
Impact on FIS World Cup Standings
- eileen Gu jumps to 1st place with 160 World Cup points (previously 140).
- Zoe Atkin climbs to 2nd overall, now sitting at 152 points, just 8 points behind Gu.
- Top‑5 shake‑up: The Beijing results displaced athletes from Canada and Switzerland, reshaping the medal race for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Zoe Atkin – Career Highlights & Recent Form
- 2019: First World Cup podium (bronze, Modena).
- 2022: Olympic debut,5th place in women’s halfpipe,Beijing.
- 2024‑2025 season: Consistent top‑3 finishes in FIS events (Laax,Park City).
Recent training focus (2025):
- Increased emphasis on triple‑cork variations to match Gu’s technical level.
- Utilized dry‑land trampoline sessions to perfect aerial rotation speed.
Eileen Gu – Return to Freeski Competition
- Hiatus: Retired after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, pursued fashion and media projects.
- Comeback announcement (May 2025): Signed with Red Bull, resumed training with the Chinese national team.
- Strategic goals:
- Re‑establish dominance in women’s halfpipe before the 2026 Winter Games.
- Inspire a new generation of Chinese freestylers through high‑visibility events.
Technical Breakdown – Signature Tricks of the Day
| Trick | Athlete | Difficulty Score (0‑10) | Execution Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple cork 1080 | Eileen Gu | 9.8 | 9.5 |
| Double cork 1260 | Zoe Atkin | 9.5 | 9.2 |
| Switch‑frontside 900 | Eileen Gu | 9.2 | 9.4 |
| Mute‑grab 720 | Zoe Atkin | 8.8 | 9.0 |
Takeaway: The margin between gold and silver boiled down to execution consistency on the second run; Gu’s landing was flawless,while Atkin’s hand‑drag cost ~2 points.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Halfpipe Athletes
- Progressive Trick Library
- Master 540 → 720 → 1080 before attempting 1260+.
- Video Analysis
- Record each run from multiple angles; compare rotation speed and body alignment.
- Strength & Conditioning
- Focus on core stability (planks, russian twists) and explosive leg power (box jumps, squats).
- Mental Rehearsal
- Visualization drills reduce anxiety on high‑risk tricks.
how to Follow Future Freeski Halfpipe Events
- Official FIS Calendar: https://www.fis-ski.com/competitions/ (updates every Monday).
- Live streaming: Subscribe to the FIS YouTube channel for free HD streams.
- Social engagement: Follow #FreeskiWorldCup on Instagram and Twitter for behind‑the‑scenes content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the next women’s halfpipe World Cup after Beijing?
A: The next stop is scheduled for 22 January 2026 in Park City,Utah.
Q: How many points does a skiers need to qualify for the 2026 olympic halfpipe event?
A: The FIS requires a minimum 120 World Cup points and at least two top‑10 finishes in the 2024‑2025 season.
Q: Will Eileen Gu compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics?
A: as of the latest FIS roster (December 2025), Gu is listed as an eligible athlete, pending national selection.
All scores, dates, and athlete statements are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS) official competition results released on 16 December 2025.
