Eileen Gu Shines in Custom Ski Suit at Milano Cortina Olympics
Eileen Gu, the rising star in freestyle skiing, showcased her unique fashion sense at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Competing in the women’s slopestyle qualifications, Gu stunned spectators while paying homage to her Chinese heritage through her custom ski suit.
Eileen Gu’s Custom Ski Suit Design
The 22-year-old skier, who represents China despite being born in the United States, designed her ski suit with significant cultural elements. Collaborating with a fellow Stanford student, the suit reflects both her family background and her experiences from the 2022 Beijing Games, where she achieved remarkable success by winning two gold medals and a silver.
Design Features
- Base Color: The bone white base mimics Chinese ceramics.
- Graphics: Blue graphics and pale golden highlights adorn the suit.
- Dragon Motif: A fierce Chinese-style dragon design is prominently displayed on the sleeve.
- Name: Gu’s name appears in graffiti-like lettering, adding a personal touch.
- Color-Changing Thermometer: The suit features a thermometer that changes color with temperature, inspired by her childhood fascination with mood rings.
- Compass: A small compass is included for practicality, highlighting her intellectual side.
- Cloud Imagery: The design includes cloud motifs to symbolize the thrill of flying during her runs.
Performance in Women’s Slopestyle Qualifications
At the Olympic qualification event, held on February 7, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, Gu faced early challenges. Despite falling during her first run, she redeemed herself with a stellar second performance, securing a spot in the finals.
The competitive slopestyle course features various rails and jumps, requiring athletes to perform complex tricks that are scored based on execution and difficulty. Gu’s strong second run positioned her just behind leading competitor, showcasing her resilience and skill under pressure.
Other Qualifiers
The top 12 skiers progressed to the finals, including:
- Kirsty Muir from Britain
- Avery Krumme from the USA
- Italian skier Maria Gasslitter
The Venue: Milano Cortina 2026
The skiing events take place in Livigno, a picturesque location nestled in the Italian Alps, far from the main host cities of Milan and Cortina.
As she continues to make her mark in the skiing world, Eileen Gu embraces both her athletic prowess and unique sense of style, making her an icon at the Winter Olympics.
