Beijing all set for winter thrills

Leaving the awe-inspiring action aside, the Big Air slope itself will be a spectacle worth visiting during the event, with the massive, now iconic, smoke stacks from the former steel mill providing a backdrop to the gravity-defying tricks.

"Beijing's rich legacy in facilities and organizational expertise from the 2022 Winter Olympics has made the city more than competent to continue playing host to these international events," said Ge Jun, a deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau.

"Bringing in more events in the post-Olympic era helps to maximize the use of the venues and further promotes winter sports among the public, a commitment the central government made prior to Beijing 2022."

The speed skating World Cup's Beijing leg, this season's second stop following this weekend's opener in Japan, will build on Team China's successful campaign at the Four Continents Championships earlier this month, offering the host's speedsters a valuable test on home ice for their 2026 Olympics preparation.

Led by men's 500m defending Olympic champion Gao Tingyu and world champion Ning Zhongyan, a specialist in 1,000m and 1,500m, the Chinese squad will field 34 skaters to compete against international heavyweights, such as the Netherlands and Canada, at the National Speed Skating Oval, aka the "Ice Ribbon", for the World Cup showdown.

Team China bagged four medals, including a gold in women's team pursuit, from the Four Continents meet in Japan, showing scintillating pace at the start of the season.

"The hosting of a series of international events in China, for sure, will help our own athletes better improve themselves en route to the 2026 Olympics," said Xing Shuo, a deputy director of the National Winter Sports Administrative Center.

"The advantage of preparing for and racing on home soil is quite helpful for bringing out their best form."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn