Eileen Gu overcame a dramatic crash to secure her second straight Laax Open slopestyle title in Switzerland. The two-time Olympic champion had already clinched victory before her second run, where she attempted a double cork 1080 but fell hard. She skied down unharmed, smiling for the camera beside runner-up Marin Hamill and third-place Lara Wolf.

This win reinforces Gu's status as the favorite for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games, where she aims to add slopestyle gold to her medal collection. She previously won halfpipe and big air in Beijing 2022, with slopestyle being her only event without gold. Her flawless opening run at Laax scored 85.13, enough to secure the win before her final attempt.

The result continues a strong season for the American-born star competing for China. Home favorite Mathilde Gremaud, who beat Gu for gold in 2022, finished seventh. The Milan Cortina freestyle skiing events will be held in Livigno, Italy, starting February 7th. Gu's performance signals she is peaking at the right time for the global stage next month.