Gold medalist Maddie Mastro (C) from the United States, silver medalist Cai Xuetong (L) hailing from China, and bronze medalist Madeline Schaffrick of the United States react during the medal presentation for the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan) […]
Gold medalist Maddie Mastro (C) from the United States, silver medalist Cai Xuetong (L) hailing from China, and bronze medalist Madeline Schaffrick of the United States react during the medal presentation for the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
CHONGLI, China, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) — Maddie Mastro from the United States secured a comfortable win at the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup held in Chongli, northern China, with Chinese Olympian veteran Cai Xuetong finishing in second place, as the inaugural halfpipe event for the 2024-25 FIS World Cup season came to a close on Sunday.
Mastro achieved a score of 88.75 points in her second run, marking her first World Cup championship. Cai, a three-time world champion, stumbled during her first run but rallied impressively in her second attempt and took full advantage of her final run to execute a series of exquisite tricks, ultimately placing second with 86.25 points. The bronze medal was secured by fellow American snowboarder Madeline Schaffrick, who recorded a score of 85.25 points in her first run.
“I feel fantastic. This is my first World Cup win, so it’s an incredible feeling to finally be at the top of the podium,” Mastro expressed after the event. “I’ve finished second or third about 15 times… So [being the champion] is an amazing experience.”
“I genuinely harbor no regrets,” remarked the 31-year-old Cai to Xinhua. “I’ve successfully executed many of my tricks within a single run. I am truly pleased. The atmosphere today was electrifying; every athlete performed excellently, and they inspired me a great deal.”
Cai’s fellow countrywoman Wu Shaotong finished sixth with a score of 69.75 points from her first attempt.
“My first run was decent but lower in difficulty. I have some regrets since I attempted more challenging tricks in my second and third runs, but they didn’t come together. I gave it my all today,” Wu stated.
On the men’s front, 23-year-old Japanese athlete Yuto Totsuka captivated the audience with a remarkable score of 95.50 points in his third run to claim the title. Following closely was Scotty James of Australia, who, as the silver medalist from the Beijing Winter Olympics, achieved 88.25 points in his third run.
The bronze medal was awarded to Japan’s Ryusei Yamada, who tallied 87.75 points in his first run. The gold medalist from Beijing 2022, Ayumu Hirano of Japan, finished fourth with a score of 86.25 points. ■
Cai Xuetong of China performs during the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Cai Xuetong of China takes part in the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Madeline Schaffrick from the United States competes during the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Maddie Mastro of the United States celebrates during the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Cai Xuetong from China experiences a fall during the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Wu Shaotong from China takes part in the women’s halfpipe final at the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, northern China, on December 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
