Photo of Prie attending the training provided by the interviewee
China News Network Kunming, January 28 Title: Snow Chasers Coming Out of the Subtropics
Author Chang Shuyu
With nearly 2 meters of skis and large and small luggage on the ground, and the mobile phone on the bed is also connected to the video call with his parents, Pu Rui, who is packing in the dormitory of the Kunming Training Base in Yunnan Province, is about to embark on the journey of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
In order to cultivate high-quality winter project talents, the State General Administration of Sport has carried out cross-border cross-sports selection work nationwide since 2018, and selected a group of athletes suitable for various ice and snow sports from other summer projects. This was an unexpected opportunity for Pu Rui, who was still a track and field athlete at the Pu'er City Sports School at the time. With her excellent physical strength and explosiveness, she was successfully selected to enter the "National Training Team for cross-border cross-sport freestyle ski tracking project".
Photo of Prie attending the training provided by the interviewee
Like most of Yunnan, Purui's hometown of Pu'er is a city with no frost and no severe cold in winter, and has a typical subtropical climate. Before joining the national training team, she had never been exposed to snow sports. "It was the first time I saw the snow, and there were about 20 Yunnan athletes who went with me, most of them were on the snow for the first time, so everyone was very excited." Prie recalled.
Freestyle ski obstacle course chasing is a snow racing event that divides the winners and losers in terms of speed, and coupled with the complex and variability of the track, there are high requirements for the athletes' gliding skills and adaptability. Among the various forms of track topography, the danger of jumping off the stage is one of the best. The unknown brought about by the elevation angle and the height difference, and the impact of high-speed gliding are all great tests of the athlete's body and mind, and many times they can only fly out with their own experience and feelings. "When I first started practicing, I was looking at my teammates on the side because I couldn't jump, and I was very anxious. I held my breath in my heart, and then in countless attempts, I fell down and got up, slowly breaking through and growing. Puri said.
"The time to prepare for the Winter Olympics is tight, the elimination rate is high, and I have grown up under pressure." Prie mentioned that when competing in the field, athletes from the north will be surprised that she can skate so well from the south, which also makes her very proud.
In November 2021, Prie competed in the Freestyle Steeplechase World Cup in Genting, and finally finished 25th, ranking second in the country in the FIS points competition of the International Snow Federation, and reached the standard line of eligibility for the Beijing Winter Olympics. On January 27, 2022, the beijing Winter Olympics freestyle ski tracking competition was released, and Pu Rui qualified for the competition. "The moment I knew that I had qualified for the competition, I especially hoped that through this competition, my strength would be reflected and exercised." Prie said.
In recent years, with the approaching of the Beijing Winter Olympics and the development plan of the "North Ice South Exhibition" proposed by the State General Administration of Sports, Yunnan has poured into an ice and snow boom. In addition to the cultivation of professional talents, many places have also opened indoor and outdoor ski resorts of an entertainment nature, so that citizens also have the opportunity to feel the happiness of "northerners". Pu Rui said with deep feeling: "Two days ago I went to the indoor ski resort in Kunming and saw that many citizens were enthusiastic. I also hope that everyone can love ice and snow sports and pay attention to the Beijing Winter Olympics. (End)