China's Wang Xindi leaps to victory in Almaty to win first World Cup in three years

Chinese freestyle aerialist Wang Xindi snapped a three year World Cup victory drought when he topped the podium in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Chinese executed a back double full-full-double full, the most difficult trick attempted by any competitor on the day, to score 127.50 points and clinch first place on his final leap. It was was Wang's first World Cup win since Deer Valley in 2022.

"I think I performed well today and it was not easy for me to win this gold. And I think all my compatriots performed great today. You can always believe in team China." said Wang.

Switzerland's Noe Roth took second place with 126.70 points while reigning Olympic champion Qi Guangpu of China scored 122.62 points for third. But Qi retains the yellow World Cup overall leaders bib and can take the season title when the circuit moves to its final stop in Italy later this month.

In the women's contest, Laura Peel of Australia scored 115.91 points to clinch victory. China's Xu Mengtao took second with 101.74 points while Aussie Danielle Scott finished third with 87.06 points. Peel is in pole position to wrap up the season in Livigno later this month with a Crystal Globe, as she leads the standings 78 points ahead of Xu.

The Freestyle Skiing World Cup circuit moves back to Europe for the final stop of the season at the 2026 Olympic test event in Livigno, Italy from March 11th to 13th.