Mackay and Gu Reign Supreme at Inaugural Snow League Freeski Event in China
The Snow League’s groundbreaking freeski halfpipe competition concluded in China, with Canada’s Brendan Mackay and China’s Eileen Gu claiming victory in a thrilling display of athleticism and strategy.
The inaugural event, distinguished by its unique head-to-head bracket and best-of-three format, saw Mackay and Gu emerge as champions after navigating a challenging field of competitors. The innovative structure demanded both endurance and tactical acumen from the athletes, pushing them to their limits.
Mackay Secures Men’s Halfpipe Gold After Grueling Competition
Canada’s Brendan Mackay demonstrated remarkable stamina and skill, completing a total of eight runs throughout the day – more than any other skier in the competition. While fatigue became evident as the contest progressed, the 28-year-old consistently showcased his impressive amplitude and diverse trick repertoire.
The final showdown against 17-year-old Luke Harrold proved to be a captivating contest. Harrold initially took the lead with a strong Run 1, but Mackay responded with a powerful performance on his second attempt. Harrold’s run was characterized by technical precision, featuring back-to-back switch alley-oop tricks, including a 1260, alongside a bone air and complex double cork maneuvers. Mackay countered with a run opening with a switch alley-oop double cork 900, followed by a switch double cork 1080, alley-oop flat spin 540, and further double cork variations. Notably, four of Mackay’s five hits extended more than 15 feet beyond the pipe’s edge.
The judges narrowly awarded Run 2 to Mackay, 89.00 to 88.50, setting the stage for a decisive third run. After a ski ejection on his fourth hit hampered Harrold’s final attempt, Mackay strategically adjusted his run, maintaining his amplitude while reducing the difficulty, ultimately securing the victory. “It was really cool competing in this format,” Mackay shared afterward. “There’s a lot of strategy and also a lot of luck with who you’re up against and if you’re able to conserve energy or if you have to put it all out there in [quarterfinals]. I feel super grateful to have put down my runs.”
The competition also saw challenges for other top contenders. Nick Goeppernow, transitioning into his third season of halfpipe competition after a successful slopestyle career, suffered a crash in the semifinals, forcing his withdrawal. This paved the way for Gus Kenworthy to claim third place in his first event since the 2022 Beijing Olympics, benefiting from a late scratch by reigning world champion Fin Melville Ives.
Gu Dominates Women’s Competition, Inspires Next Generation
In the women’s event, Eileen Gu reaffirmed her status as a freeskiing icon, sweeping through the competition and securing the gold medal. The field was reduced when Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin withdrew due to illness. Gu’s performance against fellow Olympic champion Cassie Sharpe in the quarterfinals was particularly noteworthy, showcasing her signature blend of amplitude, technical skill, and consistency. She continued her dominance, defeating teammates Li Fanghui and Zhang Kexin in the semifinal and final, respectively.
China celebrated a complete podium sweep, with Zhang Kexin and Li Fanghui joining Gu in the top three. “Watching the burgeoning freeski scene here [in China] has been nothing short of incredible,” Gu remarked. “My goal ever since I was very young — 8 or 9 years old — was to inspire just one young girl to start freeskiing, and just looking out now, and seeing how many girls there are in the park just leaves me at a loss of words.” Gu’s winning runs included a diverse array of tricks, such as left cork 900s, right 720s, and switch alley-oops.
The Snow League’s Future
Developed by snowboarding legend Shaun White, The Snow League is poised to become a significant force in the world of freeskiing and snowboarding. The next event, scheduled for February following the Winter Olympics, will feature snowboarders. Freeskiers will return for the season finale in March in Laax, Switzerland.
Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Results:
- Brendan Mackay (CAN)
- Luke Harrold (NZL)
- Gus Kenworthy (USA)
- Nick Goepper (USA)
- Birk Irving (USA)
- Hunter Hess (USA)
- David Wise (USA)
Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Results:
- Eileen Gu (CHN)
- Zhang Kexin (CHN)
- Li Fanghui (CHN)
- Svea Irving (CHN)
- Cassie Sharpe (CAN)
- Amy Fraser (CAN)
- Rachael Karker (CAN)
