Aerials, Women

China had been dominating the women’s aerials event in the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics, having captured 14 of the 18 podium spots during the 2009-2010 World Cup circuit. This left Li Nina, Guo Xinxin, and Xu Mengtao ranked first, second, and third respectively in the world and all were strong contenders for the Olympic medals. In addition, Li and Xu had won gold and silver respectively at the 2009 World Championships. Not to be counted out, however, was Australia’s Lydia Lassila, who was fourth ranked in the world and had won the only two gold medals missed by China in the 2009-2010 World Cup.

After the qualification round, only four countries had competitors left for the final: Belarus had two, Australia and the United States had three each, and China had four. Alla Tsuper of Belarus had the top qualifying score, but soon found herself trailing the back after her first jump in the final, leaving Xu, Lassila, and Assol Slivets of Belarus in the top three spots going into the second jump of the final. Excellent jumps by Guo and Li allowed them to capture the first two spots on the podium with only three competitors to go, but Lassila’s final run proved superior and, after Xu failed to make her landing, she became the second Australian woman to win gold in women’s aerials, after Alisa Camplin.