Big Air Shougang, the venue for big air events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Photo: VCG

The FIS Snowboard and Freeski big air World Cup will be held at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing on Friday. During the pre-competition athlete-media meeting on Thursday, Su Yiming, the men's snowboard big air champion at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, shared that embracing the process and enjoying the competition is what makes it truly meaningful.  

Featuring over 170 elite athletes from more than 20 countries and regions, this event serves as part of the qualifications for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. 

Among the athletes are world-class competitors such as Su of China, Birk Ruud of Norway, and Swiss ski star Mathilde Gremaud, all striving to secure their tickets to the Olympic Games.

In this competition, Team China will field five snowboarders (three men and two women), including Su Yiming, and eight freestyle skiers (three men and five women).  

On Thursday, Su underwent intensive pre-competition training at the Big Air Shougang, making significant progress on the highly challenging backside triple cork 1980. 

Expressing great satisfaction with his performance, Su noted that he has successfully mastered the move.

"In the upcoming competition, I want to focus on improving my overall performance, including pushing the limits of difficulty and gaining more competition experience. I also have some new tricks in mind and hope to challenge myself on the field," Su said.  

"My ultimate goal is to complete each competition smoothly and safely, to lay a solid foundation for the Milan Winter Olympics," he noted.

For Su, maintaining his passion for snowboarding is the driving force behind his continuous improvement. Looking ahead to future competitions, he expressed his determination to work harder, treat every appearance as an opportunity for growth, and share his love and enthusiasm for snowboarding.  

The Big Air Shougang is located within the Shougang Industrial Park, a former industrial hub that has been transformed into a multifunctional venue integrating sports, culture, and tourism. During the 2022 Winter Olympics, it successfully hosted the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, serving as a testament to Beijing's urban development and transformation.

This season, the ISU Short Track World Cup has scheduled Beijing as its third stop from December 6 to 8 at the Capital Indoor Stadium. 

Beijing Winter Olympics champion Fan Kexin will also make her return during this event.  

In a previous interview with media, Fan said that the global landscape of short track speed skating has undergone significant changes, with strong competitors emerging from many countries. 

The champion has been diligently adjusting and preparing for the competition.  

Fan has been training to simulate the pace of international races. "I'm a veteran athlete now, and being able to compete again is a big challenge for me," she noted.

Chinese snowboarder, four-time Winter Olympics veteran and gold medalist at the Snowboard World Championships Liu Jiayu told the Global Times that the quality of China's ski resort facilities and services has significantly improved in recent years, with both venues and backcountry skiing resources continually being enhanced.  

"Skiing brings together people from different backgrounds and strangers alike," she added.  

Many athletes believe that winter sports not only foster athletic excellence but also strengthens community bonds and shared experiences. 

The evolving landscape promises even greater opportunities for both participants and spectators, solidifying skiing's place as a source of joy and connection in China.