CALGARY 鈥� Freestyle ski superstar Eileen Gu kept up her dominance in Calgary, while Canadians Amy Fraser and Brendan Mackay won silver medals in World Cup halfpipe action on Thursday night.
The American-born Gu, who competes for China, thrilled the crowd with a 93.25-point performance in her first of three runs to win gold at WinSport鈥檚 superpipe at Canada Olympic Park.
鈥淚 love Calgary,鈥� said Gu, who won a pair of World Cup events at WinSport last year in her first competition after winning two gold and a silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 鈥淚鈥檓 seven-for-seven here.
"I actually won my first halfpipe World Cup ever here exactly four years ago when I was 16. This is a pretty special place for me. I love it. Let鈥檚 keep it going. We have another one on Saturday.鈥�
Like last year, Gu had a large contingent of fans cheering her on at the bottom of the hill and she obliged them by signing autographs and taking photos with them.
鈥淧eople flew in from China which is actually insane,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y entire message has been trying to spread free skiing and the sport to more people. Seeing the reach that it鈥檚 had particularly here in Calgary has been really impactful to me and it鈥檚 felt really rewarding.
"There鈥檚 nothing better than sharing the joy of ending up on top of the podium with a big group of people. I鈥檓 really grateful for everyone here.鈥�
After her final run, Gu skied right up to Calgary鈥檚 Fraser to give her a hug and congratulate her on her silver-medal performance.
鈥淪he鈥檚 skiing great this season,鈥� Gu said of Fraser. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy to see her being rewarded for her skiing.鈥�
Disappointed with her first two runs, Fraser took a more aggressive strategy on her final run. And it paid off when the judges awarded her with a score of 89.25. Great Britain's Zoe Atkin took bronze with a top score of 88.00.
鈥淚t feels awesome,鈥� said Fraser, 28, who sits second in the World Cup standings behind Gu. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my first win at home.鈥�
A year ago at the 鈥淪now Rodeo鈥� in Calgary, Fraser finished in fourth and then seventh.
鈥淚 did that a lot last year and it鈥檚 kind of bittersweet,鈥� she said. 鈥淒efinitely this year, I was more hungry to be on the podium.
"I can鈥檛 wait to get a cowboy hat. I鈥檝e been wanting one for a few years.鈥�
After posting a score of 94.25 on his first run, Calgary鈥檚 Brendan Mackay found himself sitting in first place in the men鈥檚 competition.
American Alex Ferreira, who sits atop the World Cup standings, then edged past him into the gold-medal position with a stellar 96.50-point showing on his second run.
Nonetheless, Mackay was pleased to earn his second silver in as many years at his hometown event.
鈥淚t felt amazing tonight,鈥� said the 26-year-old Mackay. 鈥淭o get to put on a show at home in front of all my friends and family is really special. I鈥檝e been really wanting to make it happen and I鈥檝e been working toward it so I鈥檓 really happy that it happened.鈥�
Mackay took a step back from competing during the first half of the season to focus on his studies at the University of Calgary, where he鈥檚 majoring in physics.
鈥淚鈥檓 finishing up university this year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 actually have to go home and finish up an exam (in general relativity) after this.鈥�
Finland鈥檚 Jon Sallinen, who edged out Mackay for gold a year ago in Calgary, posted a score of 92.00 to take bronze on Thursday.
Calgary鈥檚 Andrew Longino, 21, finished in sixth (85.25).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2024.
Laurence Heinen, The Canadian Press
