Under the crisp alpine sun of Livigno, Italy, history was made at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as Eileen Gu soared to her third career Olympic gold in the women’s freeski halfpipe, cementing herself as the most decorated freeskier—male or female—in Olympic history. The 22-year-old, American-born but representing China, dazzled fans and judges alike with a final run that scored a monumental 94.75, overcoming early adversity and fierce competition to defend her title from Beijing 2022.
Gu’s journey to the top step of the podium wasn’t without drama. Her first run was marred by a landing error on her initial 900-degree spin, leaving her with a modest score of 30.00 and a sudden deficit to make up. “Every day I was fighting,” Gu later reflected. “I gave my all every single day that I’ve been here, and that’s no joke. In all three events I showcased my best skiing and as far as performance goes, that’s all I can ask for – to be able to show the world the best that women's skiing has to offer at the moment that it really counts.”
But Gu is nothing if not resilient. In her second run, she delivered back-to-back 900s with clinical precision and executed the remainder of her routine flawlessly, earning a 94.00 that vaulted her into the lead. Not one to rest on her laurels, she elevated her performance even further in the final round, posting a 94.75 and pumping her ski poles triumphantly after landing the last trick. The crowd, especially a sizeable contingent of Chinese fans waving flags and holding up her pictures, erupted in celebration as Gu shielded her eyes from the sun to glimpse her winning score. She celebrated with them, forming a heart with her arms—a signature gesture to her supporters.
Gu’s gold was her third medal at these Games, having already claimed silvers in the slopestyle and big air events. She is now a six-time Olympic medalist, with three golds and three silvers across two Games—a feat unmatched in the history of Olympic freestyle skiing. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female,” Gu declared. “I have the most gold medals ever, 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.”
The final was not without its own set of challenges. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the event was postponed to Sunday due to heavy snowfall in the Italian Alps. Yet when the women finally dropped into the Livigno Snow Park halfpipe, the conditions were perfect—a dazzling blue sky and crisp air set the stage for a memorable showdown. World champion Zoe Atkin of Great Britain, who had topped qualifying, set the early pace with a smooth first run of 90.50, ultimately securing bronze with a 92.50. Atkin, whose sister Izzy won slopestyle bronze at Pyeongchang 2018, soared an eye-watering 5.4 meters above the pipe at one point, thrilling fans and demonstrating why she’s a steady podium presence on the World Cup circuit.
China’s Li Fanghui delivered a clutch third run to claim silver with a score of 93.00, adding to her nation’s growing medal tally. After Gu and Li’s 1-2 finish, China’s count at Milan-Cortina rose to five golds, four silvers, and six bronzes—a record for the country at an overseas Winter Olympics, surpassing their previous best from Vancouver 2010. Fellow Chinese freeskiers Zhang Kexin and Liu Yishan placed sixth and ninth, respectively, rounding out a strong showing for the team.
The field was reduced to 11 competitors after Canada’s Cassie Sharpe, the 2018 Olympic champion and 2022 silver medalist, was ruled out of the final due to a concussion sustained in qualifying. Australia’s 16-year-old prodigy Indra Brown impressed with an 87.00 on her final run to finish fifth, while New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas, who described Gu as “Wonder Woman,” had her own memorable moment—dropping her phone into the halfpipe during a run, only to retrieve it later with a laugh: “My phone is great. Never been better.”
Gu’s performance in Italy capped a whirlwind Olympic fortnight. She was the only woman to compete in all three freeski events, replicating her ambitious program from Beijing 2022, where she won two golds and a silver. Her versatility and mental fortitude have become legendary, with fellow competitors and media alike marveling at her ability to deliver under pressure. “She is unreal. It’s pretty crazy how good she is,” said Thomas. Atkin echoed the sentiment: “(Gu) is a really great competitor. She’s a really amazing skier. 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.”
Beyond her athletic prowess, Gu has become a global icon. Her popularity in China is stratospheric, with adoring fans and media following her every move at the Games. She deftly navigates questions about her dual heritage and her decision to compete for China, focusing instead on her role as a pioneer and advocate for women in sport. “Being able to lead the way and pioneer the sport is something I never imagined I’d be able to do,” Gu said. “But I’m really honored and proud that I have.” She’s also outspoken about the importance of keeping young girls in sports, using her platform to inspire the next generation.
Despite her meteoric rise, Gu remains grounded. After the Olympics, she plans to return to Stanford University as a junior, balancing academics, fashion, and skiing. She’s slated to compete in Switzerland as part of Shaun White’s Snow League and will attend Milan Fashion Week before heading back to school. Her approach to life is holistic: “I want to be better,” she told reporters. “I feel like you can always improve. I want to be more patient. I think that, yeah, maybe I’m an impatient person. Being more patient with people, always being curious, there’s so many things for me to learn from every single person.”
As the sun set over Livigno and the medals were handed out, the legacy of Eileen Gu was already secure. With six Olympic medals in as many starts, a global fan base, and a message of empowerment, she’s not just rewriting the record books—she’s redefining what it means to be a champion on and off the snow. The world will be watching to see where her journey leads next.