Aerials World Cup soars into China for the season's second stop in Changchun
Dec 15, 2023·Freestyle
The FIS Freestyle World Cup, after an exhilarating start in early December in Ruka, now heads to China for its second aerials event. The Changchun Lianhuashan Ski Field is set to host this highly anticipated competition on December 16-17.
The weekend's schedule features the individual contest on Saturday at 14:00, followed by the team event on Sunday, also at 14:00 local time.
This event marks the first international aerials competition in China since the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. The Chinese Ski Association has chosen Jilin province, a region with a rich history in hosting FIS Freestyle events since Changchun's inaugural World Cup in 2005, for this year's competition.
The Chinese Aerials Team, including 2022 Olympic champions Qi Guangpu and Xu Mengtao, is ready to showcase their skills. Qi leads the men’s rankings after a triumphant return in Ruka. Xu, making her first World Cup appearance post-Beijing 2022, boasts 27 World Cup victories, positioning her as one of the most successful aerialists in history.
The Chinese squad is further strengthened by athletes like Kong Fanyu, Chen Meiting, Wang Xindi, Yang Longxiao, Li Tianma, and Sun Jiaxu.
Unfortunately, Marion Thenault, the current leader in the women's World Cup, will be absent due to a training injury post-Ruka. However, the competition remains fierce with the Australian 'Flying Kangaroos' duo Danielle Scott and Laura Peel, and the formidable US team led by Winter Winecki. Zhanbota Aldabergenova of Kazakhstan, coming off a second-place finish in Ruka, is also a competitor to watch.
On the men's side, notable athletes include Pirmin Werner and Noe Roth from Switzerland, Chris Lillis and Quinn Dehlinger from the USA, Lewis Irving from Canada, and fan favorite Dmitro Kotovskyi, known for his 'Hurricane' jump.
With two days of thrilling competition and the season's only team event, Changchun is poised for a spectacular showcase of high-flying aerials action.
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Quick links:
Changchun World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
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