2026 Winter Olympics Halfpipe Showdown: Eileen Gu Defends Gold, Li Fanghui Takes Silver

If one phrase could describe the recently concluded Women's Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, it would be an "epic showdown." In a breathtaking competition hailed by many as one of the best in history, Chinese athletes Eileen Gu (Gu Ailing) and Li Fanghui teamed up to secure both the gold and silver medals, showcasing the absolute depth of China's prowess in winter sports.

Reaching the Peak at the Winter Olympics:

On February 22nd, under the bright sun at the Livigno Snow Park, the competition was intensely fierce.

As the reigning champion, Eileen Gu demonstrated terrifying psychological resilience after a mistake in her first run left her with a mere 30 points. She immediately bounced back in her second run, soaring to first place with 94 points. She pushed even harder in her third run, securing the highest score of the day—a massive 94.75 points—with a flawless routine featuring a 4-meter amplitude, successfully defending her Olympic gold! This was her first gold medal of this Winter Olympics, adding to the two silver medals she had already won in Slopestyle and Big Air.

If Gu is the one constantly raising the ceiling, Li Fanghui was the most unshakeable foundation of the event. She landed all three of her runs cleanly, improving her score every single time (81.25, 91.50, and 93.00). Ultimately, she clinched the silver medal with an outstanding 93.00 points, powerfully edging out top international competitors.

With this result, Team China secured a historic 1-2 finish in this event at the Winter Olympics. Eileen Gu also officially became the most decorated athlete in freestyle skiing Olympic history, holding a total of 6 Olympic medals (3 gold, 3 silver).

Friendship Behind the Winter Olympics Medals: The Adorable Post-Match Hug

Beyond the fierce competition, the off-snow interactions between the two athletes melted the hearts of fans worldwide. After the final scores were announced, an emotional Gu rushed forward to embrace Li Fanghui tightly.

A few days later, Li Fanghui generously addressed this sweet moment during a personal livestream, revealing some adorable details. She laughed, explaining that she had actually intended to pick Gu up off the ground during the hug, but completely failed because Gu was simply "too tall," resulting in a hilarious and endearing "height difference" moment.

Facing the media's tendency to compare the two, Li Fanghui showed immense grace and maturity. She shared that they have known each other since 2017 and have always maintained a great relationship: "I think it’s wonderful to be in the same era as Eileen Gu. We achieve together and progress together; she has elevated the entire level of the Halfpipe." This healthy rivalry—being fierce competitors on the snow but close comrades off it—showcases the most beautiful side of competitive sports.

Fierce Battles at the Winter Olympics: Overcoming Top International Rivals

In the Halfpipe event, this dynamic Chinese duo was actually teaming up to fend off a brutal siege from the world's absolute best.

The bronze medalist, British star Zoe Atkin, was a formidable threat. Not only was she the 2025 World Champion, but coincidentally, like Gu, she was born in the United States and is currently a fellow classmate at Stanford University (Class of 2026).

During the finals, Atkin achieved an astonishing 5-meter amplitude—higher than both Gu and Li—ultimately earning a massive score of 92.50. This detail highlights just how fierce the competition was and serves as a testament to the immense value and hard-earned nature of the gold and silver medals secured by Gu and Li.

Twin Stars Shining in Winter Olympics History

Eileen Gu’s meteoric rise has undeniably captured the lion's share of the spotlight, but we must not overlook Li Fanghui’s steady and phenomenal breakthroughs. From placing fifth at the 2022 Beijing Games, to winning gold at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, and now claiming silver in Milan, Li has proven with absolute certainty that she is a world-class skier.

As Eileen Gu herself famously quoted, "A rising tide raises all boats." In this era, with Gu constantly pushing the limits at the forefront and Li steadily delivering world-class performances right beside her, this is truly the golden age of Chinese freeskiing.