Facing the ultimate test, Olympic champion Eileen Gu triumphs once again! The young star, at just 22 years old, has clinched the first halfpipe victory of the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup for the 2025/26 season. But it wasn't a walk in the park.
Eileen herself confessed, "That was not easy." She further revealed the challenges she faced, stating that she'd been grappling with speed issues throughout her training. She almost skipped the competition altogether, fearing she couldn't execute her signature tricks with the necessary height. "That was the first full run that I’ve landed all day. It was such a mental battle,” she shared, highlighting the immense pressure and mental fortitude required to succeed.
Last season, Gu showcased her prowess by winning three World Cup events. However, her journey wasn't without setbacks. An injury sustained during the X Games in January sidelined her, leading to her absence from the Asian Winter Games in February and the World Championships in March.
Discussing her off-season preparations, Gu emphasized her relentless dedication: “I’ve been training so much, I’ve been working so hard and every single time I stay the extra hour, do the extra run, it’s proof to myself, it’s evidence to myself that I’m a winner and I deserve to win.” She added, “I train like I’ve never won, and I compete like I’ve never lost.
