As the FIS Freeski World Cup kicked off its new season in Stubai, Austria on Friday, Chinese star skier Gu Ailing finished third in the slopestyle event, setting a good tone for her 2020-21 season.

Gu came into the finals ranked second behind her biggest rivals, world champion Kelly Sildaru from Estonia. The 17-year-old Gu uncorked an impressive left double ten-eighty in the finals on her first attempt to pick up even 77 points, claiming the bronze while reaching her sixth straight podium on the circuit.

Tess Ledeux of France won the gold medal with 89 points, while Norway's Johanne Killi came next with 82. Sildaru withdrew ahead of the women's finals and missed out on the medals round.

"I tried a new move during the competition, which is the left double 1080," said Gu.

"I learned about it one week ago and had never done it before. And since I'm not as good on the left, I chose this move, but not the right double cork 1260. It was also a little bit windy, which affected my speed in the morning and made it difficult to practice, but I was happy to complete both of my jumps."