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Gremaud ends Gu's hopes of Olympic treble in freeski slopestyle / Photo: © AFP
Gremaud ends Gu's hopes of Olympic treble in freeski slopestyle
Swiss freeski star Mathilde Gremaud ended Eileen Gu's hopes of a historic Winter Olympics golden treble on Monday, successfully defending her slopestyle crown at Livigno Snow Park.
In a repeat of the result from the 2022 Beijing Games, Gremaud scored 86.96 in a stunning second run to edge out China's Gu, whose best total in her three runs was 86.58.
Canada's Megan Oldham took bronze.
Gu seized control of the competition on her first run, punching the air after her 86.58 on the obstacle-filled course.
Gremaud, skiing last in the field, responded with 83.60 as the two favourites set a standard their rivals could not match.
Gu, dressed in her white suit featuring Chinese dragon motifs, fluffed her second run, making a mistake on the first rail, mustering just 23.00 points.
Gremaud, a day after her 26th birthday, then stepped up in spectacular style to grab the lead with a score of 86.96, heaping the pressure on Gu.
She could not respond, making a mistake at the top of the course to confirm Gremaud as champion.
Gremaud then had the luxury of a victory lap, cruising down the course with a Swiss flag around her neck.
In slopestyle, athletes navigate a course with a variety of obstacles, including rails and various jumps, and are judged on the breadth, originality, and quality of their stunts.
L. Rodrigues--JDB
