Aerials water ramp season wraps up with successful Grand Prix event in Qinhuangdao

As summer fades into autumn, the aerials water ramp season reached its thrilling conclusion this past weekend in Qinhuangdao, China, where the second and final stop of the FIS Freestyle Aerials Grand Prix delivered world-class performances and soaring energy. The event, held at the National Sports Administration Qinhuangdao Training Base, gathered elite athletes from powerhouse nations including China, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan. Against such a strong international field, the host nation once again shined on home soil.

The Qinhuangdao Grand Prix was organized and co-hosted by the Chinese Ski Association, the National Sports Administration Qinhuangdao Training Base, the Hebei Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Qinhuangdao. Their collaboration ensured the smooth staging of an event that combined international standards with local enthusiasm for the sport.

On Saturday, September 20, the women’s individual event saw Chinese athlete Chen Meiting soar to victory with a flawless performance. Her teammate Xu Mengtao followed closely to secure silver, while Canadian Marion Thenault completed the podium with bronze. All three top finishers executed Full-Full-Full jumps in the big final, showing just how tight the competition was at the highest level. Australia’s Laura Peel once again attempted her ambitious Full double Full-Full, which she has landed successfully earlier in the season in Switzerland, but this time her execution fell short, leaving her in sixth place.

In the men’s individual event, Switzerland’s Noe Roth delivered a breathtaking double Full-double Full-Full that earned him a commanding 136.17 points and the gold medal. Rising Chinese star Li Tianma claimed the silver, while Roth’s compatriot Pirmin Werner secured the bronze. With multiple athletes throwing five twists in the super final, the level of competition proved sky high and thrilling to watch.

Sunday’s mixed team competition brought even more excitement, as eight teams battled it out for top honors. China demonstrated its incredible depth, sweeping the podium in dominant fashion. Team China 3, composed of Shao Qi, Chen Shuo, and Li Xinpeng, won the championship with 387.16 points. Team China 2, featuring Chen Meiting, Li Tianma, and Sun Jiaxu, followed with silver, while Team China 1, made up of Xu Mengtao, Wang Xindi, and Qi Guangpu, earned the bronze medal with a score of 366.04. The clean sweep underlined the host nation’s remarkable strength and balance across its roster of athletes.

High-flying action, daring twists, and world-class execution made Qinhuangdao the perfect stage for the season finale. The event not only celebrated the athletes’ talent but also highlighted the successful collaboration of Chinese sporting institutions in hosting a world-class competition. As the aerials community turns its focus toward the upcoming Olympic season, China once again confirmed its status as the sport’s true powerhouse, showing the depth and consistency that have defined its dominance for years.