2026 Winter Olympics: Closing outcomes and medal depend

LIVIGNO, Italy — Maybe essentially the most staggering factor of Eileen Gu’s total gold medal-winning day was she misplaced her steadiness on the primary trick in her first run.

Perhaps she is mortal? But possibly not as Gu defended her Olympic ski halfpipe title on Sunday to make it six medals in six occasions over her Winter Games profession.

“She is ‘Wonder Woman,’” New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas stated.

China’s Eileen Gu wears her Olympic medals after profitable freeski halfpipe Sunday on the Milan-Cortina Games.

(Hector Vivas / Getty Images)

The 22-year-old Gu, American-born however competing for her mom’s homeland of China, is already essentially the most adorned freeskier within the brief historical past of the game on the Olympics. She additionally captured two silver medals on the Milan-Cortina Games, to pair with two golds and a silver from the Beijing Games.

“The reason I love the records so much is that it’s not about man or woman,” Gu stated. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female. … That’s a testament to competitive strength, it’s mental strength. It’s being able to perform under pressure. It has nothing to (do with) if you’re a boy or a girl.”

Gu gained the occasion on the power of her second run, a clear, technically sound move. She bought even higher in her remaining run — pumping her ski poles after touchdown the ultimate trick — and completed with a rating of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver and Zoe Atkin of Britain was third.

“She is unreal,” Thomas stated of Gu. “It’s pretty crazy how good she is.”

The occasion was rescheduled to Sunday following an enormous snowstorm the evening earlier than. It was a vivid, sunny day as Gu shined within the remaining occasion on the Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the solar to catch a peek of her profitable rating — and immediately appreciated what she noticed.

There had been fairly a couple of Gu followers on the base of the halfpipe, holding up footage of her and waving flags.

“Being able to lead the way and pioneer the sport is something I never imagined I’d be able to do,” Gu stated. “But I’m really honored and proud that I have.”

Atkin, an American-born skier who competes for her father’s homeland of Britain, soared excessive all contest, a staggering 5.4 meters (18 ft) above the pipe at one level. She completed ninth on the Beijing Games however has been a gradual presence on World Cup podiums ever since. She has three victories over the past 4 years, all in occasions the place Gu didn’t compete.

The 23-year-old Atkin is the defending world champion.

“(Gu) is a really great competitor. She’s a really amazing skier,” stated Atkin, whose sister, Isabel, gained an Olympic bronze in ski slopestyle on the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. “We have an amazing group of skiers as well. I think the level is truly unmatched, and I think that’s really special. I think that makes it really exciting to watch for the next coming years.”

Canada’s Amy Fraser echoed that.

“She’s a great skier, and she raises the level for everyone else, but she’s not unbeatable,” stated Fraser, who completed fourth. “I don’t think the level is untouchable.”

In her second run, Thomas dropped into the halfpipe — and dropped her cellphone. It needed to be retrieved for Thomas. After the competitors, she reported: “My phone is great. Never been better.”

Svea Irving was a “DNS” — didn’t begin — within the American’s second run. She returned for a 3rd run however struggled to finish a maneuver and completed in eleventh.

Atkin took the lead after the primary run with a easy efficiency. Meanwhile, Gu misplaced her steadiness on her first trick and lower the run brief.

Cassie Sharpe of Canada sat out the ultimate after a tough crash in Thursday’s qualifying spherical. She gained the gold within the occasion on the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver 4 years later in Beijing.

Graham writes for the Associated Press.