by sportswriters Li Jia, Lu Xingji and Gao Meng

CHONGLI, China, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Su Yiming won the men's big air at the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Zhangjiakou on Saturday, totaling 174.50 points after an 88.25-point switch backside 1980 with a front-hand grab on the back edge in his second run.

The final was affected by gusty winds that unsettled riders and led to landing mistakes. "The conditions today were changing quickly, especially the wind," he said. "But once I stood on top of the ramp, I reminded myself to focus on my plan and trust my training."

Su said the win had been a long time coming. "It has been a long time since I last had a gold medal hanging around my neck. I'm really happy to put down two ideal runs today and stand again on top of the big air podium. That is something I've dreamed of for a long time," he said. "A year ago, this was my lowest point. Coming back here and winning again is a recognition of myself."

He added that last season was one of the most difficult of his career. "The 2024-2025 season was one of the lowest times of my career, also very difficult to get through," he said. "I've tried to look at everything positively, and everything that seems bad has a reason to happen. I learn from the lessons and try to improve step by step."

Su said the focus remains on Milan-Cortina 2026. "The biggest stage for me is the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Everything before the Olympics is preparation for my ultimate goal, so I stay calm, accept whatever happens, and improve gradually for the competition," he said.

Su won China's first Olympic gold in men's big air at Beijing 2022. He said the years since then brought significant change. "It's been a huge change for me," he said. "Mentally, technically, and in my understanding of myself, I have a completely new perspective. Back then, being a champion felt like a heavy weight on my shoulders, and the pressure was intense. Last year, when I faced some setbacks, it hit me hard. But it also helped me rediscover what it means to be a professional snowboarder - to face any challenge without fear, push my limits, reconcile with myself, organize my thoughts, and tackle every difficulty."

Su took time off after the 2022 Games to recover. "I decided to use one and a half years to rest, both physically and mentally, to make some adjustment," he said. "Returning to top-level snowboarding wasn't easy. I spent a long time, and last year I also had several serious injuries. I couldn't perform at my best. During that time, others progressed a lot, and sometimes I wondered if I would regret using this rest period. But I think every choice I made at the moment was correct. I don't regret it. At that time, I needed complete relaxation, which helped me maintain my love and motivation for snowboarding. I don't want to exhaust myself, because I don't believe that's how I can perform at my best."

He said the current Olympic cycle feels different. "At 17, I was more of a challenger, fearless and focused on completing my goals without much worry. Now my responsibilities are greater. I hope to inspire more young people to love snowboarding and contribute to the sport. After last year's setbacks, I no longer carry any burdens. Even after winning today, I constantly remind myself to stay calm and face the challenges ahead."

"Milan 2026 Olympic Games is my ultimate goal," he said. "Today's gold is just a strong start and a recognition of my work. I will analyze today's performance and aim to do even better in the future."

Su celebrated sharing the podium with countryman Ge Chunyu, the silver medalist. "Sharing the podium with Chunyu is the happiest thing for me today," he said. "It's not just about my gold; it's about the Chinese snowboard team reaching the highest level in the world. We've never seen two Chinese riders together at the top of the podium carrying the national flag. Today, Chunyu, our teammates, and I made it happen."

"I've always felt a responsibility, not only to win medals myself, but also to boost the development of Chinese snowboarding. Standing on the podium with Chunyu today makes me truly happy for him, for myself, and for our whole team."

Su said he wants to help bring more young people into the sport. "Seeing young people try snowboarding makes me really happy," he said. "As an athlete, I can inspire them through my performance. I also support youth snowboarding programs and hope more children can experience the joy of winter sports."

"Snowboarding is limitless and expressive," he said. "It's not just a sport for me; it's a way to express style and personality. Every athlete brings something unique to the slope, and I'm happy to see the sport embracing creativity and diversity."

Su closed the day with a celebratory final run. "I just wanted to ride down and enjoy this victory. I hope every competition can end this way, but not every run will have such a so-called victory celebration. It's more about the challenge. I also hope that in the upcoming competitions, I can perform at my best, giving myself more room and preparation for the third run." ■