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Chinese freestyle skiers crash out from men's halfpipe qualification in PyeongChang

Xinhua,February 20, 2018 Adjust font size:

PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese freestyle skiers Mao Bingqiang and Kong Xiangrui were both eliminated from men's halfpipe qualification at PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games here on Tuesday.

In China's debut in the event on Winter Olympic stage, Mao, 16, was placed 20th among 27 participants, posting 53.00 and 54.60 points in his two runs. Kong, who were also born in 2001, sat three places behind with his better result of 50.80 points in the second attempt.

"I feel excited about my first Olympics, and satisfied with my performance today," said Mao, adding that the atmosphere of Winter Olympics was quite different from that of World Cups.

Mao has found that a huge gap existed between top-level skiers from other nations and himself.

"I hope that hard work over the next few years can bridge that," he said. "I want to stand on podium four year later."

"They are simply improving all the time. Their aptitude is up, and their tricks are much harder. In general, they are more confident," commented Mauro Nunez, Chinese team's coach since May, 2016.

"Learning the sport is like a triangle. The bottom has to be very solid to hold the small top," added Nunez, who showed great confidence in the team's bright future.

Aaron Blunck of United States led 12 finalists with 94.40 points in his second run. Enditem

 

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