In the just-concluded Beijing Winter Olympics Women's Freestyle Slope Obstacle Course Qualification Tournament, Kelly finished with a score of 86.15 and successfully advanced to the final. Gu Ailing followed, ranking third in the final with a score of 79.38.
In the World Cup on January 9 this year, Gu Ailing won the second place in his own strength slope obstacle course. Who did she lose to?
Kelly Sildaru. You may not have heard her name, but she is thunderous in the foreign freestyle skiing world, and she has won medals large and small.
She is another top icon in the freestyle skiing world.
Gu Ailing (left) finished second and Kelly (center) finished first
Kelly and Gu Ailing are seen as strong competitors, like Lin Dan and Li Zongwei – both olympic gold medal favourites who are all-rounders in freestyle skiing, slope obstacle course skills and U-shaped track skills, and the strength of the big jump event cannot be underestimated.
How competitive are they? Just look at the results of this year's Mammoth Mountain World Cup in the United States.
Slope obstacle skills: Kelly first, Gu Ailing second.
U-shaped venue skills: Gu Ailing first, Kelly second.
And - they are all post-00s. Kelly was born in 2002 and Gu Ailing was born in 2003.
Gu Ailing finished first (center) and Kelly (left) finished second
In fact, Kelly became famous earlier than Gu Ailing. Gu Ailing said in an interview: "I have adored her since I was eight years old. (I've looked up to her since I was eight.) Kelly is a great guy and a great skier. ”
When Kelly first won the X Games championship, she was only 13 years old, and Gu Ailing was still in junior high school in the United States, and it was 5 years after Gu Ailing won the gold medal.
Kelly's winning record at X-Games
It can be said that until 2 years ago, in the top event of women's freestyle skiing, Kelly dominated the top, until Gu Ailing rose rapidly and won multiple awards.
A ski genius who grew up in a small country
Ten years ago, the extranet, freestyle skiing video went viral abroad, because the protagonist is a little girl.
Difficult movements, kept steady and skilled, actually from such a mini little girl! She's Kelly Sildaru.
Kelly Sildaru as a child
Kelly is from Estonia. This small country, with a population of only 1.3 million, is comparable to a county-level city in China and is less than a quarter the size of Hebei Province.
This is a European country located by the sea with almost no mountains. There are only six ski resorts in Estonia, the largest of which has a total slope length of only 1.8 km.
The largest snow field in Estonia has a total slope length of 1.8 km and a maximum drop of 54 m
Born into an ordinary family in Estonia, Kelly came into contact with skiing at the age of two. As Kelly's skiing levels continued to rise, her father quit his job and gave Kelly full-time service — part-time coaches, teachers, cooks, fathers and photographers. Kelly's mom continues to work to support the family.
Kelly and her brother Henry Sildaru
There are very few ski resorts in Estonia, and when Kelly challenged herself with greater difficulty, she began skiing trips in the Alps. Later, Kelly began experimenting with ski resorts all over the world.
Kelly's posting ski videos online, traveling around the world and documenting adventures, attracted a lot of attention and gained a large number of fans.
Kelly's skiing video Another is of her brother Henry
Before she competed, she already had a high profile as a freestyle skater. The ski prodigy quickly spread all over the world from Estonia and signed up to brands like Red Bull.
Kelly Sildaru
In the most unlikely places, ski heroes can also be born.
Stand on the top and win countless gold
The light of genius cannot be concealed.
In 2016, Kelly Sildaru became the youngest (13-year-old) gold medalist in the X Games Winter Race with superb skill and perfect play at the Ski Slopestyle competition.
Kelly, 13, at X Games
Her freestyle skiing level is constantly improving. She won more XGames medals in 2017 and competed in the World Cup for the first time.
Kelly Sildaru won
Her astonishing achievements have attracted the attention of national leaders. During norway's X Games in 2017, the former Prime Minister of Estonia tweeted for her ---- "Unbelievable 1440 degrees jump by Kelly Sildaru, very impressive!" Go, Kelly!!!" (Incredible 1440 degree jump, Kelly Sildaru, very impressive!) Come on, Kelly!!! ）
Kelly (first from left) and Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (center)
Kelly was considered a favourite on the podium at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. However, serious injuries left her sad to miss the entire 2018 season, including the tournament she was supposed to compete in for the Olympics for the first time.
When Kelly returned to the X Games in 2019, the 16-year-old won three medals in 26 hours – gold, silver and bronze in the Slopestyle, SuperPipe and Big Air events! This is an unprecedented record in the history of skiing competitions! Created the history of two X Games, the world's top competitions!
(In 2021, Kelly was injured and did not participate, gu Ailing broke the record and won 2 gold and 1 bronze)
Kelly Sildaru wins the title at the scene
Little Kelly makes the country of Estonia shine in the ski arena.
Pinnacle duel Kelly X Valley Ailing
It has been 6 years since he won the X Games gold medal in 16 years, and Kelly has maintained the world's top level, setting a good example for freestyle players.
It can be said that Kelly is the number one enemy of China's freestyle Nova Valley Ailing. If you look closely, the U-shaped pool project Shanggu Ailing is more prominent, and the slope obstacle skills are Kelly's ace project.
(Gu Ailing's initial good project is also slope obstacle skills, presumably out of the game strategy, avoiding the front, the later Gu Ailing in the U-pool project more force)
At the 2020 Lausanne Youth Winter Olympics, Kelly (center) won the gold medal and Gu Ailing (left) won the silver medal
Underline the thick line title
Post-00s girls of similar ages, all-rounders in freestyle skiing, the collision of the world's top level. There is no shortage of rookies in the freestyle arena, and the competition between the strong, Kelly and Gu Ailing will compete together on the stage of freestyle skiing.
Only stronger opponents can achieve greatness.
Looking forward to the summit showdown in the final of the Beijing Winter Olympics!
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