Eileen Gu Wins 20th World Cup After Getting Back Up From Crash

Eileen Gu proved that champions aren't defined by never falling, but by how they get back up.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist crashed hard at the Laax Open in Switzerland on Saturday, falling on her right side with her ski and poles flying off. But moments later, she stood up, smiled at the camera, and waved to fans.

The crash came during her second run, after she'd already secured victory with a flawless first performance that scored 85.13 points. Gu had attempted a double cork 1080 (two head-over-heels flips) just to push herself further, even though she didn't need the extra points.

"I don't really like taking a victory lap, so I wanted to just do something to keep pushing and show my best out here," Gu explained afterward. "But that's the sport, sometimes you fall, so it's OK."

The win marked a major milestone for the 22-year-old skier. She's now earned her 20th World Cup career victory, extending her own record, with four of those wins coming in slopestyle competitions.

Slopestyle remains the one event where Gu didn't claim gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, taking silver behind Swiss skier Mathilde Gremaud. She dominated in halfpipe and big air that year, but the slopestyle gold slipped away.

Now, heading into the Milan Cortina Winter Games next month, Gu enters as the favorite to complete her collection. Gremaud finished seventh at Laax, suggesting Gu's biggest competition may come from new challengers like second-place finisher Marin Hamill of the U.S.

Why This Inspires

Gu's reaction to the crash shows what separates good athletes from great ones. She could have played it safe on her second run, protected her lead, and coasted to victory. Instead, she chose to challenge herself, knowing the risk.

When the fall came, there was no frustration or disappointment. Just a smile, a wave, and gratitude for another win. "I think every one gets harder, and I think people sometimes take it for granted," she reflected on her 20 victories.

That perspective captures something beautiful about elite sports and life itself: success doesn't mean avoiding failure, it means having the courage to risk it in pursuit of something greater.

With the Olympics just weeks away, Gu's showing the world she's ready for anything the slopes throw at her.