PyeongChang Day 6: Three Chinese enter women’s aerials finals

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Three Chinese athletes booked their spots in the finals of the women's freestyle skiing aerials after solid qualifying sessions on day six of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics Thursday, which also saw medals awarded in cross-country skiing, biathlon and speed skating.

Chinese freestyle skier Xu Mengtao in action on February 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Xu Mengtao, who claimed silver in Sochi four years ago, earned 99.37 points in the first qualification round - the third best score - to move straight on to the finals. Compatriot Zhang Xin finished sixth and also advanced, while Kong Fanyu made the cut after going through a second qualifying round. Russia's Olympic athlete Alexandra Orlova scored highest among the 12 finalists.

Zhou Yan of China during the Curling Women's Round Robin Session 2 held at Gangneung Curling Center on February 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

In curling however, China's women lost both their matches. Wang Bingyu and Zhou Yan, Olympic bronze medalists in Vancouver in 2010, fell to Team GB 8-7 in an extra end and suffered another close loss to the Olympic Athletes from Russia 7-6. China was 1-2 after three draws, leaving it seventh in the standings. Only the top four teams advanced to the playoffs.

Ted-Jan Bloemen of Canada skates to a gold medal in the men's 10,000-meter speed skating on February 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Canadian speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen claimed gold in the men's 10,000 meters in an Olympic record time of 12 minutes and 39.77 seconds. After failing to make the Netherlands squad, the former Dutchman, who became a Canadian citizen four years ago, beat defending champion Jorrit Bergsma for the title.

Hanna Öberg celebrates after winning the women’s 15 km biathlon on February 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Sweden's Hanna Oeberg made all 20 shots to pull off a shock victory in the women's 15km individual biathlon, holding off Germany's double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier, who had to settle for third after a costly early miss. Slovakia's Anastasiya Kuzmina took the silver.

Slovenia's Jakov Fak, Norway's Johannes Thingnes Boe and Austria's Dominik Landertinger (L-R) celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony in the men's 20km individual biathlon event. /VCG Photo

In the men's 20km individual biathlon, Norway's Johannes Thingnes Boe, 24, put in a blistering performance to claim victory, 5.5 seconds ahead of silver medallist Jakov Fak of Slovenia. Dominik Landertinger of Austria claimed the bronze.

(With input from Reuters)