On October 22, 2023, during an interview regarding China’s preparation for the upcoming Olympic Ski Mountaineering events, reporter Yue Chuan explored the national team’s aspirations and the history of the sport.
With the Olympic qualification events for the Ski Mountaineering competition at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics set to commence this December, the Chinese Ski Mountaineering team is busily gearing up, aiming to secure medals at this prestigious event.
The International Olympic Committee approved Ski Mountaineering as an official event for the Winter Olympics in July 2021, marking the return of this ancient sport to the Olympic family nearly a century later. In these games, three gold medals will be awarded: one for the men’s sprint, one for the women’s sprint, and a mixed relay event.
Ski Mountaineering involves a combination of technical skills in snow climbing, supplemented by skiing. It encompasses elements such as snow trekking, climbing, teamwork, and the operation of climbing equipment. This sport gained popularity in Europe and North America during the 1950s and is now widely practiced in the Alps and the Pyrenees, attracting millions of enthusiasts each year.
However, Ski Mountaineering is still a relatively new sport in China. The national team was established in November 2022, following a series of selection rounds that began in June 2022, ultimately selecting a team of 20. Currently, the team is divided into short-distance and relay groups.
Since Ski Mountaineering typically takes place in snowy mountain regions, the team trains diligently wherever snow can be found. Over the past two years, through extensive training and competition, the team has shown remarkable improvement, achieving historic breakthroughs.
Since its inception, the Chinese Ski Mountaineering team has participated in five World Cup events, three Youth World Cup events, and one World Championship, amassing an impressive total of 15 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Notable young athletes have emerged, including Zidan Yuzhen, Pumi Ani, Bluer, and Gonsong Langa.
Leader Li Wenmao shared insights into the qualification system for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which consists of ten World Cup events and one World Championship, with ten competitions scheduled for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to the Winter Olympics, the national team plans to conduct a new round of selections in mid-November and will train vigorously in Keketohai, Xinjiang. They will then head to Italy for further training and competition in early December. The first Olympic qualification event is set to take place in France on December 9. Li Wenmao stated emphatically that the team’s goal is to stand on the Olympic podium in 2026.
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