Chinese freestyle skiing star and Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu revealed on social media that she sustained another injury during training in New Zealand due to what she described as a "horrific accident caused by human error."
The incident has prompted the athlete to appeal to fans to avoid interrupting her training sessions for photos or videos, citing safety concerns.
Training disrupted by injury
Gu, who recently returned to snow after recovering from previous injuries, shared that her training in New Zealand had been progressing well until the accident occurred.
She was flown to Christchurch for medical imaging, and while she hopes for a swift return, she is awaiting final clearance from her medical team.
The 21-year-old skier emphasized the importance of maintaining focus during training, noting that interruptions can be extremely dangerous, especially when preparing for park runs.
She explained that even brief distractions—such as fan interactions on ski lifts—could compromise safety.
A plea for privacy during training
In her social media post, Gu expressed gratitude for her supporters but urged them to refrain from filming or approaching her during practice. Instead, she invited fans to meet her after training hours, between 3.30 and 4pm, once the ski park closed.
She also mentioned that to save time, she skips lunch breaks and minimizes bathroom visits, highlighting the intense preparation required for elite competition.
She expressed a desire to connect with everyone, but not while she is in the middle of a run.
A career marred by injuries
The latest setback adds to Gu’s long history of injuries. Earlier this year, she suffered severe bruising after multiple falls at the Aspen X Games, forcing her to withdraw from subsequent events.
Later, a training accident led to a fractured shoulder, sidelining her from the Asian Winter Games and World Cup competitions.
