China's Zhang Kexin secured silver with 84.20 points in the women's halfpipe final at the FIS Freeski World Cup in Calgary, Canada. Teammate Li Fanghui finished fourth with 82.80 points, while Australia's Indra Brown claimed gold.
At the FIS Freeski World Cup in Calgary, Canada, China's athletes shone in the women's halfpipe event. Three of four Chinese competitors advanced from qualification to the final. Li Fanghui led qualification but scored only 26.40 points in her opening final run due to a closing mistake.
Zhang Kexin, competing third from last, delivered 84.20 points in her first run to take second place. Unable to better it in her second attempt, the score held for silver. This result marks progress for Zhang toward the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, following injury-disrupted preparations.
Li Fanghui displayed impressive air height, difficulty, and grabs in her second run but lost points on an untidy finish, ending fourth at 82.80. Australia's Indra Brown won gold with 85.20 points. Liu Yishan placed seventh. Olympic champion Gu Ailing skipped the event for training.
The Chinese team's strong qualification hinted at final potential, but execution details shaped outcomes. The competition offers valuable lessons as Chinese freeskiers build toward Olympic goals.
