Eileen Gu: “Punishing Excellence” in Milano Cortina Skiing Schedule

Olympic Star Qualifies for Big Air, Concerned About Training Time

Eileen Gu, the Beijing 2022 champion, has expressed frustration with the skiing schedule at the Milano Cortina Games, saying it “punishes excellence” by cutting down her training time for the halfpipe event.

“I think it’s really unfair. I think it’s punishing excellence, to be completely honest with you. Because I dare to do three events, and this is making it completely impossible for me to train fairly for the third event.” – Eileen Gu

Gu’s Schedule Struggles

Currently ranked second in the big air event, Gu has previously mentioned she hasn’t competed in big air since 2022. The big air final, set for Tuesday morning Hong Kong time, overlaps with the first of three three-hour halfpipe training sessions later in the week.

Gu, who also won silver in slopestyle, is the only female freeskier participating in all three disciplines. She is the defending champion in halfpipe and big air.

Inherently Unfair?

Gu has reached out to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to try and find a resolution. She proposed she could train with snowboarders or have an hour of private training if she didn’t make the big air finals.

“I even said if I don’t make finals for big air, I won’t take the extra training, I will make sure it’s fair. Everybody should get nine hours,” she said.