Xu Mengtao Dominates Women's Aerials at Milano Cortina 2026

Xu Mengtao defends her women's freestyle skiing aerials title at 2026 Winter Olympics

China's Xu Mengtao wins gold in women's aerials, with Danielle Scott (Australia) taking silver and Shao Qi (China) claiming bronze.

Aerials is all about defying gravity - athletes launch off a near-vertical ramp, soaring up to 20 meters...

China's Xu Mengtao has retained her title in the women's freestyle skiing aerials at the Winter Olympics, adding another trophy to her impressive career. She scored 112.90 points, securing the gold medal with a flawless performance.

Xu's victory marks her second consecutive Olympic gold in women's aerials, making her the first skier to achieve this feat. Danielle Scott of Australia took silver with 102.17 points, while Xu's compatriot Shao Qi claimed bronze with 101.90 points.

Xu Mengtao, 35, is a Chinese aerials skiing legend with an incredible record. She's a five-time Olympian, 35-time World Cup winner, and current World Cup rankings leader. In fact, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation has dubbed her the greatest aerials skier of all time.

Xu's Olympic achievements are impressive - she won gold at Beijing 2022, silver in mixed team aerials at the same Games, and aerials silver at Sochi 2014. She's now added another gold to her collection at Milano Cortina 2026, making her a two-time Olympic champion.

“I have been practising sports for 31 years ... I have always ‌been confident, optimistic, and with this fighting spirit. My coach and my team all know that Mengtao usually thinks that being number two is not a good performance,” she said.

Xu Mengtao, 35, and Danielle Scott, 35, made history with their top-two finish in women's aerials, defying the trend that usually favors younger athletes in this high-flying discipline. Their experience paid off, securing gold and silver respectively. 

“Well, age is only a number, and Mengtao and I, we're both 35, so it doesn't matter,” the Australian said.

Xu Mengtao dominated the competition at the Livigno alpine resort, scoring an impressive 112.90 points with her final jump, securing the gold medal. She outperformed Danielle Scott of Australia, who scored 102.17 points, and Shao Qi of China, who scored 101.90 points.

In tears, Xu celebrated her victory, holding up the Chinese flag in triumph. This win marks her second consecutive Olympic gold in women's freestyle skiing aerials, solidifying her position as one of the greatest aerials skiers of all time.

Shao Qi, 24, won her first Olympic medal at her second Games, taking bronze in the women's aerials. She's one of the young guns making waves in this thrilling discipline.

🥇 After a gravity-defying performance, XU Mengtao lands #Gold in the freestyle skiing women's aerials 🔥

She makes history at #MilanoCortina2026, as the first ever athlete to have clinched two Olympic aerials titles - with back-to-back Gold medals 🥇 🥇

Just incredible to… pic.twitter.com/KxdHslb8QI

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 18, 2026

Aerials is all about defying gravity - athletes launch off a near-vertical ramp, soaring up to 20 meters in the air, performing mind-boggling aerobatics, and landing on a steep slope. It's intense.

Athletes in aerials skiing reach speeds of over 60 km/h during their runs, making it an adrenaline-packed event.

Performances are judged on height, distance, style, degree of difficulty, and landing, with a maximum score of 150. It's a tough discipline, but thrilling to watch.

Aerials has been a part of the Winter Olympics since Lillehammer 1994, showcasing incredible skill and bravery.