Chinese athletes Zhao Dan and Lin Qinwei clinched the bronze medal in the skeleton mixed team event at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships in Lake Placid, New York, on Sunday.
The Chinese pair finished with a final time of 1 minute 54.81 seconds, close behind gold medalists Mystique Ro and Austin Florian of the United States, who clocked 1:54.53, and silver medalists Tabitha Stoecker and Matt Weston of Britain.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for China in the sport of skeleton racing, especially as the skeleton mixed team event will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Another Chinese team, consisting of Li Yuxi and Chen Wenhao, secured eighth place, highlighting the growing depth of talent in China’s skeleton program.
Earlier in January, Zhao and Lin made history by winning China’s first World Cup title in the skeleton mixed team event in Winterberg, Germany. Their consistent performances this season position them as strong contenders in upcoming international competitions.
The inclusion of the skeleton mixed team event in the Winter Olympics signals a new era for the sport, offering opportunities for nations like China to shine on the world stage.
With their recent successes, Zhao and Lin are inspiring a new generation of athletes in the Chinese mainland to take up winter sports and aim for Olympic glory.
