LIVIGNO, Italy — Eileen Gu stared down the possibility of an early exit at the Winter Olympics, but a dramatic recovery in qualifying for the women’s slopestyle event kept her medal hopes alive. After a fall on her first run, Gu delivered a clutch performance on her second attempt, securing a spot in Monday’s final.
The drama unfolded quickly. Gu, attempting a 270-degree spin on the first rail, lost her balance and fell, resulting in a score of just 1.26. “I went through the five stages of grief, first,” Gu said, describing her initial reaction. “It was, like, confusion, maybe depths of despair, perhaps a conniption. And then by the end of it, I ended in this flow state.”
The fall left Gu in a precarious position, needing a strong second run to avoid elimination. Her mother, Yan, offered support and encouragement, noting concerns about energy levels and suggesting a quick snack of dried fruit before the crucial second attempt. Gu described sinking “deep into myself,” searching for a mental reset. “I went deep into the pit of my stomach and I found my flow state and I told myself that I have worked so ridiculously hard. It’s not that I love skiing, I’m obsessed with it and I’ve lived and breathed this.”
That mental shift proved decisive. Gu approached her second run with renewed confidence, declaring, “if there’s anyone to bet on now, I’d bet on myself.” She landed a score of 75.30, good enough for second place in qualifying, behind only Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland, who had a strong first run.
Gremaud’s performance allowed her to avoid a second run, a luxury Gu didn’t have. The Swiss skier had previously defeated Gu at the Winter Olympics, narrowly preventing Gu from winning three gold medals. “Honestly, the stress level today was really low,” Gremaud commented, a stark contrast to the pressure Gu faced.
The slopestyle course itself presented a challenge, particularly the rail section. The first rail was larger than typically seen on the World Cup circuit and the spacing between the second and third rails was tighter, making it difficult to maintain speed. Gu had been adjusting her rails routine in preparation for the Milan Cortina Games, and the trick that caused her fall was a new addition to her repertoire, attempted for the first time in competition on Saturday.
Despite the initial setback, Gu demonstrated her versatility on the second run, successfully executing a trick that showcased her ability to rotate in all directions – forward, backward, left, and right – on and off the features. Her ability to consistently land these complex maneuvers will be crucial in Monday’s final.
Looking back at her first run, Gu admitted she didn’t recognize herself in the video footage. “I think there was just this moment of hesitation, uncertainty,” she said. “I looked a little fragile, a little uncertain, and I just kind of needed to knock some sense into myself, be like, ‘Remember who you are and get it together.’”
American Men Also Qualify
The qualifying round also saw success for the American men. Defending Olympic champion Alex Hall finished eighth, securing his place in the final. Konnor Ralph also qualified, finishing 10th. Mac Forehand faced a similar challenge to Gu, falling on his first run and needing a strong second attempt. He delivered, finishing sixth.
“The nerves were so heavy, I’ve never been so nervous for a contest before,” Forehand said. “But I landed it and it all worked out.”
Birk Ruud of Norway posted the highest score in men’s qualifying.
