Vinecki and Werner clinch yellow bibs with wins in Changchun
Dec 16, 2023·Freestyle
The second stop of the 2023/24 aerials World Cup tour in Changchun, China, marked a triumphant return of the FIS Freestyle tour to Chinese soil for the first time since the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Jilin province, known for hosting FIS Freestyle events since Changchun's inaugural World Cup in 2005, was the chosen venue for this year's competition.
In the women's event, Winter Vinecki (USA) showcased the fruits of hard work and dedication. Bouncing back from a disappointing performance in Ruka, where she struggled with her triple flips, Vinecki dominated both rounds of the finals in Changchun. She first landed a Lay-Tuck-Full and then sealed her victory with a Lay-Full-Full, impressing in air, form, and landing criteria. Scoring a total of 94.25 points, she unequivocally claimed her career's second World Cup victory.
Kong Fanyu (CHN) earned second place with 81.42 points for her double Full-Full, and Laura Peel (AUS) completed the podium in third place with 80.96 points. Peel, like Vinecki, executed a Lay-Full-Full in the super final, but a slight overstatement of the trick led to a major deduction in her landing score.
With this victory, Vinecki now leads the women's aerials standings with 132 points after two competitions, followed by Australia’s Danielle Scott and Laura Peel with 120 and 110 points, respectively.
On the men's side, Pirmin Werner (SUI) upgraded his second-place finish in Ruka to a victory in Changchun, scoring 122.62 points with a double Full-Full-Full.
Christopher Lillis (USA) was close behind, also performing a double Full-Full-Full in the super final, finishing with 122.17 points.
Li Tianma (CHN) represented the host nation well, earning third place with 121.68 points for his Full double Full-Full, marking his career's second World Cup top-3 finish.
After Saturday's victory and two podium finishes so far in the 2023/24 season, Pirmin Werner leads the men's aerials World Cup standings with 180 points. Qi Guangpu (CHN) is in second place with 140 points, followed by Christopher Lillis with 130 points.
The aerials excitement in Changchun continues on Sunday with the mixed team event scheduled for 14:00 local time.
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Quick links:
Changchun World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
