Chloe Kim wins women's snowboarding halfpipe gold

BEIJING - Reigning champion Chloe Kim of the United States successfully defended the women's snowboard halfpipe title at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games here on Thursday.

An almost-perfect 94.00-point performance in the first run, where she managed to complete a frontside and backside 1080, was good enough for Kim to win the gold medal although she failed in the following two runs when trying to upgrade the difficulty to 1260.

"It was worth it for sure, 1000 percent. That's what keeps me going. I wish I'd landed it, but next time," Kim said on her unsuccessful attempts.

As a legend of the event, Kim praised the efforts of all the other participants. "The girls are killing it, and they're progressing at such a quick rate. I find it inspirational that everyone's out progressing the sport. At the last Olympics, you didn't see that many 1080s, and now everyone is doing a 1080," she said.

Queralt Castellet of Spain scored 90.25 points to win the silver medal while Japan's Sena Tomita took the bronze, 88.25 points.

Five-time Olympian Castellet surprised the spectators in the second run with continuous front and backside 900 in her last two tricks. Tomita's highest score also took place in the second run after she performed the same tricks as in the first run but with higher quality.

China's Cai Xuetong finished fourth with 81.25 points, setting her own best record in the Winter Olympics. She said in the mixed zone that she planned to do a backside 900 in the third run but was not patient enough while jumping into the air.

"I was focused on my own run. I wanted to put my best run into this, but unfortunately it didn't end up as the best run. I was feeling a little frustrated, but I am happy for the podium winners. They did a very good job today," said Cai.

Cai's compatriot Liu Jiayu, silver medalist at PyeongChang 2018, slipped in her first two runs but contributed a smooth performance in the final run to pocket 73.50 points.

"It was very positive to do this contest in China and let everybody know that China has not just summer but winter elements and share winter sports with everybody, and to show more Chinese and the outside world how fun these sports are," Liu said.

Beijing 2022 women's freeski Big Air champion Gu Ailing appeared in the course to cheer for the Chinese team and her friend Kim.

"I knew Ailing in her childhood. Both she and Su Yiming have a lot of potential. Because of that, I believe they will do a good job," said Cai.