Star freeskier Gu Ailing survives scare to reach women's halfpipe final at Milan-Cortina Games

LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Defending Olympic champion Gu Ailing overcame an early scare to advance to the women's freeski halfpipe final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday.

The Chinese star freeskier, who has already won two silver medals in slopestyle and big air at these Games, is aiming for title defense in her main event. However, competing first in the qualification, Gu fell during her opening run.