Eileen Gu won the halfpipe gold at Milano Cortina 2026, leading a 1–2 finish as China secured five gold medals and its best-ever performance at a Winter Olympics held outside China.
Eileen Gu and Li Fanghui delivered a 1–2 finish for China in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gu secured gold with a strong third run of 94.75. Li followed with 93.00 to take silver, earning her first Olympic medal. Team GB’s Zoe Atkin won bronze with 92.50.
As a result, China’s delegation improved its overall tally to five gold, four silver and six bronze medals. The total marks the country’s best performance at a Winter Olympics held outside China.
Three Events, Three Podiums
Gu competed in three events at Milano Cortina and reached the podium in all of them. She had earlier won silver in slopestyle and Big Air. With her halfpipe victory, she closed the Games with one gold and two silvers.
The win also brought her Olympic medal count to six, making her the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history. After the final, Gu wore all three medals around her neck. She noted that competing in three events had tested her both physically and mentally.
Gu said that she had never really set out to be a professional athlete and was simply doing what she loved. She added that she had poured everything into the sport and was proud of her efforts. Beyond her own success, she hopes more girls will try freestyle skiing.
A Personal Moment
Yet the day also carried personal weight.
At the post-event press conference, Gu explained her late arrival. She had just learned that her grandmother had passed away.
“She inspires me so much,” Gu said. “Before I came to the Olympics, I didn’t promise her I would win. But I promised her I would be brave. I hope I made her proud.”
On the final day in Livigno, she defended her title, finishing the Games atop the podium.
Written by Ronnie Yu, additional reporting by CNS, Olympics.com.
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