China’s freestyle aerialist Wang Xindi soared to victory at the Freestyle Skiing World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan, breaking a three-year World Cup win drought on Sunday. The 29-year-old executed a breathtaking back double full-full-double full—the most challenging trick attempted in the competition—to score 127.50 points, clinching first place on his final leap.
“I think I performed well today, and it was not easy for me to win this gold,” Wang said after his victory. “I believe all my compatriots performed great today. You can always believe in Team China.”
Switzerland’s Noe Roth secured second place with 126.70 points, while reigning Olympic champion Qi Guangpu of China took third with 122.62 points. Despite finishing third, Qi retains the yellow World Cup overall leader’s bib and has a chance to claim the season title when the circuit moves to its final stop in Italy later this month.
In the women’s competition, Australia’s Laura Peel claimed victory with a score of 115.91 points. China’s Xu Mengtao earned second place with 101.74 points, and Australian Danielle Scott finished third with 87.06 points. Peel leads the standings by 78 points ahead of Xu and is in a strong position to capture the Crystal Globe at the season finale in Livigno, Italy.
The Freestyle Skiing World Cup circuit will return to Europe for the final stop of the season at the 2026 Olympic test event in Livigno from March 11 to 13.
