Host nation China's athletes continue to win at Asian Winter Games

Chinese athletes continued to assert their dominance at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, on Wednesday.

The host nation started the day by clinching gold in cross-country skiing, with the women's team emerging victorious in the 4×5 kilometer relay in Yabuli. The squad consisting of Li Lei, Chi Chunxue, Chen Lingshuang and Dinigeer Yilamujiang showcased exceptional teamwork and skill in their triumph.

Li, a previous champion in the women's sprint classic, got off to a strong start and quickly moved to the front of the pack. By the end of the second leg, Chi had increased the lead to an impressive 47 seconds. Chen further extended their edge to one minute before handing off to Dinigeer, who finished the race in a total time of 53 minutes and 59.3 seconds, leaving Kazakhstan in second place and Japan in third.

The men's team also delivered a strong performance in the 4×7.5 kilometer relay. Despite trailing by more than 30 seconds at one point, the Chinese squad featuring Li Minglin, Cirenzhandui, Bao Lin and Wang Qiang mounted a stirring comeback to snatch gold, edging out Japan by a mere 3.2 seconds. Kazakhstan settled for bronze.

China's winning streak continued in the women's freestyle skiing big air final, where Liu Mengting, Han Linshan and Yang Ruyi swept the podium. Liu, who served as one of China's co-flagbearers in the Opening Ceremony last Friday, scored 175.50 points, earning her second individual gold medal at this event. Just one day earlier, the same trio had dominated the women's slopestyle final, with Liu once again taking the top spot.

In ski mountaineering, a newly-introduced event at the continental competition, China excelled in the mixed relay. The duo of Cidanyuzhen and Buluer captured gold, while Yu Jingxuan and Bi Yuxin earned silver, and Liu Jianbin and Suolangquzhen picked up bronze. Their performances gave the host nation a total of three gold, three silver and three bronze medals in the discipline.

The debuting sport is not only a new addition to the Asian Winter Games, but will also make its debut at next year's Winter Olympics, signaling a bright future for the discipline.