China’s Xu Mengtao, Sun Jiaxu shine under the lights at Lake Placid Aerials World Cup
Jan 19, 2025·Freestyle
The depth and quality of China’s squad came to the fore when the first Aerials World Cup event of the year and season took off at Lake Placid.
Among the world’s best aerialists, it was the Chinese who shone the brightest under the lights of the Olympic Jumping Complex.
China swept the individual events, with Sun Jiaxu (CHN) standing out in the top-class field to win the men’s event.
Veteran Xu Mengtao (CHN) made a successful return to the World Cup circuit to take the women’s competition.
Olympic champion Xu returns in fine form
Xu may have competed in just one World Cup since she was crowned champion at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. But the 34-year-old showed little rust as she defied both competitors and conditions to win at Lake Placid.
Her back double full-full was the hardest trick landed in the women’s field, earning her a 95.52 in the superfinal.
Remarkably, Xu was also on top of the podium the last time Lake Placid hosted a World Cup in 2019, and the significance was not lost on her.
Xu’s winning score put her just above Danielle Scott (AUS). The Australian, the defending World Cup champion, posted a close 95.17 points. Marion Thenault (CAN) was in third place, with a 90.94.
Tricky wind conditions during qualifiers troubled the field, with some notable names missing the cut to the finals. Winter Vinecki (USA), who was second on the standings last season, missed the top 12 while two-time world champion Laura Peel (AUS) also did not qualify.
Chinese men dominate, taking five out of six superfinal spots
The men’s competition was dominated by a squad of Chinese. In fact, five out of the six in the superfinal were flying the Five-star Red Flag.
Sun Jiaxu (CHN), who finished in 15th place last season, turned out to be the surprise package.
The 25-year-old showed up with fierce form and a lot of guts, delivering a risky back full-double full-double full that paid off with a massive score of 136.17.
Still, Noé Roth (SUI) was not about to back down so easily. The lone non-Chinese in the superfinal stood up to the pressure to deliver a jump of 123.90 points, taking second spot.
Li Xinpeng (CHN), competing in just the third World Cup of his career, took to the pressure and stage like a natural, scoring 118.10 points for third place.
Reigning Olympic champion Qi Guangpu (CHN) settled for fifth with 103.00.
The Chinese will be counted on to do well again when the team event commences at 19:00 local time on Sunday. But others, such as world champions Team USA, will also be looking to come back afresh.
QUICK LINKS
Lake Placid World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)
Photos: Aerials
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