Peel shows winning form as Aerials veterans triumph at Lac-Beauport

Jan 25, 2025·Freestyle

After some tricky conditions stood in her way last week, Laura Peel (AUS) found a second wind to breeze to victory at the Lac-Beauport Aerials World Cup.

The 35-year-old veteran replicated the form that helped her lead Australia to a team podium in Lake Placid, this time scoring 117.19 to take an individual win.

If there is anything one should note about the two-time world champion’s form early in the 2024/25 season, it is that her jumps are right on the money.

Peel produced sublime back-to-back full-full-full jumps at the last stop, including one that led to a career-best 118.48 points. A week later, she delivered again to finish ahead of China’s top-class aerialists

Chen Meiting (CHN) took second place after scoring 102.31 points, while last week’s winner and reigning Olympic champion Xu Mengtao (CHN) was third with 92.72.

This was Peel’s first World Cup win since her triumph at the Almaty stop in March 2023, and she was naturally pumped to show that she is still leading the pack on the world stage.

I put my jumps where I wanted to. Amazing day – I couldn’t have asked for more.– Laura Peel

She said: “We love coming here. Quebec is like a second home to me now. It’s an amazing event with lots of awesome volunteers. Just so good to be here. Now, it’s just resting up and going again tomorrow.”

Peel’s feat makes up for the disappointment of last season’s Crystal Globe winner Danielle Scott (AUS) not making the superfinal. Winter Vinecki (USA) also just missed out on a spot among the final six.

Olympic champ Qi lands first win of the season

In the men’s contest, China’s aerialists continued to be triumphant although this time, success belonged to Qi Guangpu (CHN).

The reigning Olympic’s risk of attempting a back double full-full-double full paid off as he posted 124.00 points to finish comfortably ahead of his rivals.

Lewis Irving (CAN) gave the home crowd some cheer by scoring 102.50 points to take second place. Christopher Lillis (USA) finished third with a 85.40 effort.

Noé Roth (SUI) and Alexandre Duchaine (CAN) had the two biggest jumps in the first final, but neither could bring that form into the superfinal as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Said 34-year-old Qi, who took the Crystal Globe last season: “Everyone knows that I’m not that young anymore. The younger guys are constantly pushing me, but I just keep working. I’m very happy to come back this year and take the win.

“I’m always ready for the competition. I’ll keep going.”

The aerialists will return for another day of individual events at Lac-Beauport on 26 January.

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