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| Three into One Won't Go for China's Aerial Stars |
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China has such an abundance of riches in women's freestyle aerial skiing that three athletes face a nervous wait to discover the fate of their Winter Olympics dream. World Cup leader and world champion Li Nina is an automatic selection with Xu Nannan, the 1998 Olympic bronze medallist, and Guo Xinxin, a World Cup winner at Deer Lake this year, already confirmed ahead of qualifying on February 19 and the final on February 22. But there is still one spot to be filled. "Three names have been decided," said team leader Yan Xiaojuan. "As to the fourth, it depends on the training of the other three girls over the next few days. We will submit the name list before the deadline according to the International Ski Federation rules, one hour before competition." Li admitted that she is still getting used to the course here and is trying not to think about the challenge from her rivals, which will be led by Australia's defending champion Alisa Camplin. "This is my second time here at the venue after coming for the World Cup last year," she said. "I'm still getting used to it. I haven't watched any of the other girls in training. I just want to focus on my own performance." In contrast, Guo believes she has the ability and style to take the gold here and make the most of the spotlight being on Li as well as Camplin. "When I took part in the World Cup here last year, I was third. I am familiar with the course and I like it," she said. "I am very confident. I am ready for the gold." Wang Jiao and Cheng Shuang, two of the team members hoping to get the nod for the final place, also trained on Monday. Wang, a World Cup winner at Changchun in China last December, is the current favourite after recovering from injury. But she is under pressure from two other World Cup podium finishers. Zhang Xin, second in Changchun, and Cheng, who was second at Mount Buller in the United States in September, are both available. Camplin, one of only two Australians to ever win a Winter Olympics gold medal, will go into the competition having recovered from a career-threatening knee injury. (China Daily February 15, 2006) |
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