Talents Unveiled at Gangwon 2024 YOG Freestyle Skiing events

Welli Hilli Park in South Korea played host to the exhilarating winter spectacle of the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympics, where young skiing talents from across the globe showcased what they were made of. Under perfect skies and ideal conditions, the event unfolded with a mix of intensity, skill, sportsmanship, and most of all, an incredible opportunity for the riders to put their names on the map.

Slopestyle: Townshend's Triumph and Tabanelli Shines Bright

The Freeski Slopestyle Finals witnessed a captivating display of talent, where Henry Townshend a 17-year-old from Park City, Utah, prevailed with a 90.25-point first run, setting a high bar and ultimately clinching the gold. Meanwhile, Olly Nicholls from Japan and Jaakko Koskinen from Finland delivered jaw-dropping runs on their final attempts, securing their places on the podium. In the women's category, Italy's Flora Tabanelli stole the show, sealing the deal on her last run and clinching the gold. The competition unfolded under a flawless bluebird sky, with Han Linshan of China securing silver and Germany’s Muriel Mohr claiming bronze.

Big Air: Tabanelli’s Double Triumph

Flora Tabanelli continued her dominance in Freeski Big Air, securing her second gold of Gangwon 2024 to solidify her status as one of the next superstars in freeski. Opening Ceremony flagbearer Tabanelli is following in the footsteps of Chinese freeskier Eileen Gu, who claimed YOG gold big air at Lausanne 2020. Daisy Thomas from Australia earned a well-deserved silver, showcasing resilience in a tightly contested competition. Muriel Mohr from Germany celebrated her second podium of the games, displaying consistency with a bronze.

The Freestyle Skiing Men’s Big Air event unfolded in an intense day on the slopes at Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort. Canadian Charlie Beatty redeemed himself with a gold, but still dropped in on his third run victory lap and once again stomped cleanly, adding an extra two points to his final score to make the win even sweeter. Olly Nicholls from Japan snagged another medal, claiming the silver, while Luke Harrold from New Zealand added a touch of Kiwi flair with a bronze win.

Halfpipe: Kiwi Mates and Chinese Supremacy

The Gangwon 2024 Freeski Halfpipe Finals were a celebration of camaraderie and skill as New Zealanders Luke Harrold and Finley Melville Ives tore up the podium together. It was a proud Kiwi moment seeing the two share the spotlight. Harrold opened the account for the New Zealand squad, stomping a right double cork 1440 with a safety grab in his first run. The 15-year-old backed that up with a left double cork 1440 with a stale grab in his second run for a combined score of 172.25. Meanwhile, China reigned supreme in the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe, with Liu Yishan and Chen Zihan securing gold and silver. Kathryn Gay of the USA joined the podium, claiming bronze and adding to the diverse representation in the competition.

Moguls: USA Dominates in Dual Moguls

The USA clinched the gold medal in the mixed team dual moguls event at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), showcasing exceptional talent and teamwork. Led by mogul skiing prodigy Elizabeth Lemley, the team demonstrated their dominance in the sport. Lemley, who has already earned four FIS World Cup podium finishes at just eighteen, played a crucial role in the victory. She provided her teammate Porter Huff with a significant lead in the big final against South Korea's talented duo, Yun Shinee and Lee Yoon Seung. Additionally, the USA's Abby McLarnon and Jiah Cohen secured a bronze medal in the small final against Japan, further adding to the team's success.

In the individual dual moguls competition, Elizabeth Lemley continued her winning streak by securing the women's dual moguls gold medal, reinforcing her position as one of the most promising young athletes in the world. Lemley triumphed over Lottie Lodge (AUS) in the big final, while Abby McLarnon contributed to the USA's medal count by winning bronze against Italy's Manuela Passaretta.

The men's competition was equally thrilling, with Lee Yoon Seung (KOR) capturing the gold medal to the delight of the home crowd. The USA's Porter Huff won silver, and Nakamura Takuto (JPN) took home the bronze. These events at the YOG showcased the remarkable talent and potential of these young athletes, promising exciting futures in the sport.

Ski Cross: Swedish and German Triumphs

The next generation of Ski Cross made a mark at Gangwon 2024, with Sweden’s Uma Kruse Een and Germany’s Niklas Hoeller grabbing gold in the individual races. The Swedish team continued their success in the mixed team event, securing another gold with Alexandra Nilsson and William Young Shing. The taste of Olympic medals for these young athletes signals a promising future for Ski Cross, with their remarkable achievements at Gangwon 2024.

The Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympics not only showcased the incredible talents of young skiers but also highlighted the international camaraderie and sportsmanship that define the spirit of the event. As the sun sets on Welli Hilli Park, the future of skiing looks brighter than ever, with these young athletes paving the way for a new era in winter sports.