Skier Eileen Gu Injured in ‘Very Terrible Accident’ While Training.

Skier Eileen Gu Injured in ‘Very Terrible Accident’ While Training.

 

 

Chinese-American freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu suffered a serious training injury at Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand. The 21-year-old Olympian described the incident as a “very terrible accident” attributed to human error, according to her post on Weibo. She hasn’t shared full details, but said she’s awaiting confirmation from her medical team and hopes to be back on snow soon.

Shots circulating online capture the star being carried off the slopes on a stretcher. Gu was promptly flown to Christchurch for medical imaging to determine the extent of her injuries.

This setback comes after a tough season: earlier in 2025, Gu withdrew from the X Games Aspen due to a fall and aggressive bruising, which hindered her ability to walk. She subsequently missed the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, citing a combination of that and a subsequent training injury.

Gu, who had only just returned to on-snow training after her previous injuries, stressed in her Weibo post the critical importance of concentration during practice. She warned that distractions—like fans filming or taking photos—pose serious dangers. Gu said even while riding lifts, she visualizes her runs and skips breaks like lunch or restroom visits to maximize focus. Nonetheless, she invited fans to meet her after training sessions conclude, specifically outside official practice times to ensure safety and focus.

Athletic Background & Wider Context

Eileen Gu is a multi-medalist who won two golds and one silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, becoming the first freestyle skier ever to claim three medals in a single Winter Olympics. She competes for China—the country of her mother—though she was born and raised in San Francisco.

She’s also a standout presence off the slopes: a Stanford student, high‑earning athlete, and the first freestyle skier featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue.

Looking Ahead

This is now the third major injury Gu has encountered in the 2024–2025 season—each significantly disrupting her competition schedule. As she awaits medical evaluation, her latest crash underlines the razor-thin line between excellence and danger in high-level freestyle skiing.

Still, Gu’s message remains grounded in resilience: she continues to appreciate fan support while urging mindfulness and respect for the intense focus demanded by her sport.

Please let me know if you’d like to explore specific aspects—like timelines of her recovery, more detail on her medical condition, her upcoming competition plans, or comparisons to other elite skiers.