Olympic freestyle star faces another injury setback at Cardrona Alpine Resort
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Eileen Gu was hospitalised in Christchurch over the weekend following a training accident at New Zealand’s Cardrona Alpine Resort, marking another challenging chapter in what has been a difficult season for the freestyle skiing star.
The 21-year-old Chinese representative was training at the popular Wānaka-area resort when the incident occurred. Posting on Weibo, Gu described the accident as “very terrible” and attributed it to “human error,” though specific details about the circumstances remain limited.
Second Major Setback This Season
This latest injury comes just months after Gu was forced to withdraw from both big air and halfpipe competitions at the X Games in Aspen in January due to injury. The timing is particularly frustrating for an athlete who was working to regain competitive form ahead of the upcoming season.
Witnesses at Cardrona reported seeing Gu transported from the slopes on a stretcher, with the South China Morning Post indicating the injuries appeared serious. The resort, known for its world-class facilities and popular training destination for international athletes during the Southern Hemisphere winter, has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
Elite Athlete Profile
Gu burst onto the international stage at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where she claimed gold medals in big air and halfpipe while earning silver in slopestyle. Born in the United States, her decision to represent China generated significant attention and helped elevate the profile of freestyle skiing globally.
Her influence extends well beyond competition results. According to Sportico, Gu was the second-highest-paid female athlete in 2024, earning $22 million primarily through endorsement deals. She has been featured on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list and Forbes’ 30 Under 30, highlighting her crossover appeal.
Recovery and Return Timeline Uncertain
In her social media post, Gu remained optimistic about her recovery prospects while acknowledging uncertainty about timing. “I hope I can return to the snow soon, but I’m still waiting for confirmation from the expert team,” she wrote.
For elite freestyle skiers, New Zealand’s winter season provides crucial training opportunities during the Northern Hemisphere’s off-season. Cardrona Alpine Resort, with its terrain parks and reliable snow conditions, regularly hosts international athletes preparing for upcoming competitions.
While speculation continues about the specific circumstances of the accident—
including unconfirmed reports of fan involvement—Gu’s team has not provided additional details about her condition or expected recovery timeline.
The skiing community will be watching closely for updates on one of the sport’s most high-profile athletes as she begins another rehabilitation process.
