On January 9, the women’s freestyle snowboarding halfpipe competition at this edition of the Winter Games concluded its compulsory routines. Nineteen-year-old Li Shuang scored 59.5 points to win the gold medal. However, the most unforgettable moment for reporters wasn’t when Li beamed with her medal — it was the instant when Zhai Yue’s head collided with the edge of the halfpipe. The scene left nearly everyone in shock. Watching as she was carried onto a stretcher and into an ambulance, everyone was moved by the dangers of this high-risk sport. Today, a group of young women in the prime of their lives are using their youth, pain, and perseverance to usher in a new spring for China’s winter sports.
Thrills and danger are the biggest appeals
Snowboarding is an extreme sport that is not only highly entertaining but also very dangerous. Zhai Yue was the sixth competitor to take the course yesterday. In her first run, she scored just 8.0 points, placing her at the bottom of the rankings. During her second run, Zhai Yue’s head struck the edge of the halfpipe upon landing. She fell, got up, then fell again. Medical personnel immediately rushed her to the on-site emergency center. After a brief examination, she was transferred to Jilin Central Hospital. Tests revealed minor misalignment in the first and second cervical vertebrae of her atlantoaxial joint, with asymmetrical spacing on either side — though no fractures were found. After the event, champion Li Shuang told reporters, “Injuries are common among us snowboarders. What looks serious to outsiders is actually quite normal in our team, and there have been worse cases. That’s why our coaches always emphasize proper technique. Zhai Yue didn’t jump high enough and barely managed to complete her flip, which led to the accident.” Lying in her hospital bed, Zhai Yue also told reporters that these injuries wouldn’t make her give up the sport. Li Shuang added, “Halfpipe snowboarding is dangerous, but we all love it. I love the thrill — it’s the biggest appeal of this sport. My biggest dream is to compete in the Sochi Winter Olympics.”
Insurers have stopped underwriting policies
The Harbin team swept all the medals in the women’s compulsory halfpipe competition. After the event, reporters also spoke with Zhang Yonghe, head coach of Harbin’s freestyle skiing and snowboarding teams. He expressed regret over Zhai Yue’s injury but noted that snowboarding is inherently high-risk. “Several snow sports are dangerous — like aerials, snowboarding, and alpine skiing. We used to regularly purchase medical and accident insurance for our athletes, but now no insurers are willing to underwrite policies. They assess the risk factor as 6, meaning our annual treatment costs far exceed the premiums. This is also the case abroad. In Europe, there have even been cases of athletes dying from accidents. Fortunately, our athletes haven’t suffered any major injuries yet.”
Most athletes come from modest backgrounds
Why do athletes continue to train and compete tirelessly in such a high-risk sport? Champion Li Shuang’s answer is simple: she loves it. She even said she’d encourage her family and friends to try the sport and share in the thrills and joy of snowboarding. It’s well known that many football players don’t want their children or family members to pursue the sport, but Li Shuang is willing to share it — even saying she wouldn’t stop her own kids from practicing snowboarding if they showed an interest. Zhang Yonghe offered two reasons: one is the desire to bring glory to the country, and the other is that these athletes can achieve relatively good personal prospects through hard work. He explained, “Sports like table tennis aren’t as dangerous as skiing, so many children are willing to learn. But the chances of making it professionally are very small. In skiing, there are fewer participants, so success comes a bit faster. Also, from what I know, most athletes who train in snow sports come from modest backgrounds — often working-class families. Many even come from broken homes. Quite a few children are sent by their parents to train in skiing for a better future, and gradually grow to love the sport.”
Ordinary people can hit the slopes in just a week
Skateboarding has become a trend these days — we often see kids doing all sorts of tricks on boards in public squares. But not many people practice snowboarding. Li Shuang thinks it’s because skateboards can be used year-round, while snowboarding is limited to snowy conditions and specific venues. Still, she noted, “Snowboarding is more thrilling than skateboarding, and you can jump much higher in the air.” When asked if ordinary people could take up this high-risk sport, Li Shuang replied, “Of course. If you’re just having fun and not attempting dangerous aerial tricks, you’re unlikely to get seriously injured. I’ve never had any major injuries — just the usual bumps and bruises, and falling into snowbanks doesn’t even hurt.” Ski jumping requires enthusiasts with skiing experience to train for over a month before trying it, but how long does it take to learn snowboarding? Li Shuang’s answer may surprise you. “I used to practice alpine skiing. After switching to snowboarding, I was able to ride on the course in just three days. For those without any skiing background, it takes about a week to get comfortable on the slopes.”
