Trio of Aerials champions takes China to team win in Beidahu
Feb 24, 2025·Freestyle
As soon as his skis stomped on the Beidahu snow beneath him, Qi Guangpu (CHN) gestured for his teammates to start ringing in the cheers.
The 2022 Beijing Olympic Aerials champion knew his landing on the back double full-full-full was a good one, one that would lead to a strong score. It was – his 123.53-effort would eventually lift his team to the top of the podium in the team event with a combined score of 345.26 points.
Competing at home, with a side made up of two others who already won in Beidahu, this Chinese trio were always going to be a formidable force.
It was perhaps this quiet confidence that helped Qi take the slope with calm, despite needing to produce a jump that would leapfrog the American team.
While Xu Mengtao (CHN) did not pick up as high a score as the one that gave her the Women’s Aerials win the day before, she still garnered a creditable 99.16.
Li Tianma (CHN), meanwhile, landed his back full-double-full-full for 122.57 points.
“It wasn’t easy today,” said Xu, who has now won two out of two team events on tour this season. “The weather was a little warmer, so that was something to deal with. I’m so proud of my teammates – they did such a good job. This team win is a great reward for us.”
Added Li: “It went very well today. We’ve got two doubles champions in our team.”
After missing out on the superfinal at the last team leg at Lake Placid, the Americans can now take heart in a second-place finish.
Karenna Elliott (USA), Quinn Dehlinger (USA) and Christopher Lillis (USA) combined for a total of 317.05 points.
They finished ahead of another Chinese trio: Chen Meiting (CHN), Li Xinpeng (CHN) and Wang Xindi (CHN) were third with 316.72 points.
There is little time for these skiers to celebrate, though. The tour is moving on quickly and will take the stage in Almaty in Kazakhstan in just a few days’ time, with Moguls actions starting on 28 February.
QUICK LINKS
Beidahu World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc)
Results: Team
Photos: Aerials
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