Yuzhen Lamu (C) of China, Ordonez Maria (L) of Spain and Deseyn Thibe of Switzerland hold their trophies on the podium during the ISMF World Championships at Boí Taüll Resort in the Province of Lleida, Spain. /ISMF
Yuzhen Lamu became the first Chinese ski mountaineering world champion after claiming a historic gold at the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) World Championships on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old dominated the U20 women's sprint category with straight wins in qualification, semifinal and final, clocking a winning time of three minutes and 31 seconds at Boí Taüll Resort in the Province of Lleida, Spain.
Her teammate Suolang Quzhen, who ranked fourth at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, settled for another fourth position.
Ordonez Maria of Spain and Deseyn Thibe of Switzerland joined Yuzhen on the podium, two and three seconds behind respectively.
ISMF's Facebook post on February 28 about athletes' results at World Championships in Spain. /ISMF World Cup Ski Mountaineering
China's rising star Cidan Yuzhen, who had taken two golds at the Youth World Cup at Crevacol, Italy, failed to keep her momentum in the U18 women's sprint category.
The 17-year-old finished sixth after crossing the finish line nearly a minute behind Spain's Selles Laia, who won the gold in front of her home fans in three minutes and 40 seconds.
The first competition day witnessed another 15 Chinese skiers in sprint events, as Ji Lulu took seventh position in the women's U23 category, and Bu Luer ranked 10th in the men's U18.