China Wins Freestyle Skiing Mixed Team Bronze & More Beijing Olympics Updates

LIVIGNO, Italy – The Xu Mengtao and Wang Xindi household is now a two-time Olympic gold medal-winning family. Just days after Xu Mengtao successfully defended her title in the women’s freeski aerials, her husband, Wang Xindi, soared to victory in the men’s aerials final at Milano Cortina 2026 on Friday, February 20. The Chinese pair’s success has captivated audiences and cemented their status as a power couple in the world of freestyle skiing.

Wang’s winning jump, scored at 132.60, narrowly edged out reigning world champion Noé Roth of Switzerland, who finished with 131.58. Li Tianma completed the podium with a score of 123.93, marking a historic first Olympic medal for the Chinese skier. Sun Jiaxu finished just off the podium with 123.42.

The victory is particularly poignant as it follows Xu Mengtao’s historic achievement earlier in the week. She became the first skier to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in aerials, landing a back full-full-full – a complex maneuver involving three backflips with a full twist in each rotation. The couple’s combined success has been a dominant storyline at these Games, with Chinese media already dubbing them a “golden couple.”

The men’s final featured a super final format, where the top six skiers from the qualification round had one jump to determine the gold medalist. Defending Olympic champion Qi Guangpu, a prominent figure in the sport, struggled to find his form and finished sixth with a score of 81.00, unable to repeat his Beijing 2022 success. Switzerland’s Pirmin Werner also fell short of the podium, finishing with 99.32.

The competition in Livigno has been fierce, with athletes pushing the boundaries of the sport. Kaila Kuhn of Team USA, competing in her second Olympics, demonstrated that ambition. Despite a clean jump featuring a back-full-full-full, Kuhn couldn’t stick the landing, resulting in a face-plant and a fifth-place finish with a score of 99.16. While an improvement on her eighth-place finish four years ago, Kuhn expressed disappointment, stating, “Having that world championships title is amazing, but this is a different event. I’m going for a different title.”

The Chinese team’s success extends beyond the individual accolades. With Xu Mengtao’s gold and Wang Xindi’s triumph, China has secured its second and ninth gold medals respectively of the Milan Cortina Games. They are now strong favorites heading into Saturday’s mixed team aerials final, February 21, where they will undoubtedly be looking to add another medal to their tally. Australia’s Danielle Scott, who took silver in the women’s event, helped her country achieve its most successful Winter Olympics ever, with six medals overall.

The aerials event, known for its spectacular jumps and inherent risk, continues to captivate audiences. The one-jump-to-win finale format adds immense pressure, demanding precision and nerves of steel. Wang Xindi’s victory underscores the dedication and skill required to excel in this demanding discipline. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with the support of his wife and the strength of the Chinese team, proved to be a winning combination.

The success of Wang and Xu is not just a story of athletic achievement; it’s a narrative of partnership and mutual support. Reports from Chinese media highlight the couple’s close bond and how they motivate each other to reach new heights. Wang Xindi’s win has even been framed as a way for him to “no longer be jealous” of his wife’s gold medal, a playful acknowledgement of their shared success.

As the Games progress, all eyes will be on the mixed team event. The People’s Republic of China will enter as the clear favorite, but the competition is expected to be intense. The event promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the aerials competition at Milano Cortina 2026, and a chance for Wang Xindi and Xu Mengtao to further solidify their legacy as a dominant force in the sport.