The 2024-2025 FIS Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup started on Thursday at Genting Snow Park, located in Chongli, the Winter Olympic town in northern China. This year's event has marked the highest attendance for a halfpipe World Cup, featuring more than 140 athletes from 18 countries and regions.

Despite delays caused by continuous snowfall, the men's freeski halfpipe qualification round began in the afternoon. The qualification was conducted in two heats, using the DoubleUp format, with the top eight skiers from each heat advancing to the finals.

Moritz Klein of Germany competes during the men's freeski halfpipe qualification of the FIS World Cup in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)

Beijing Winter Olympic silver medalist in slopestyle, Goepper Nicholas, led the field in Heat 1 with a score of 92.00 points, while Ferreira Alex, the defending World Cup champion and Beijing Winter Olympic bronze medalist, took second place with 84.00 points.

"I was here three years ago for the Olympics for slopestyle, and now I'm here for halfpipe, so it's a pleasure. The shape of the course is very good," Nicholas remarked.

"I feel good about my performance today. I didn't make my first run, so there was a lot of pressure on my second run, and there was a lot of nerves and excitement. I did my best. I'm super grateful and happy," said Alex after his qualification round.

In the other heat, PyeongChang Winter Olympic champion and Beijing Winter Olympic silver medalist David Wise finished first with 90.66 points, while 20-year-old Matthew Labaugh followed closely with 87.66 points.

"I feel awesome! Two weeks ago, I broke my wrist and flew to Colorado for my surgery. Now, I can compete with this (condition). I hope that I can stand on the World Cup podium for the first time," Matthew told Xinhua.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the women's qualification round was canceled for the day and will be rescheduled. Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, is expected to participate when it resumes.

The finals for both the men's and women's freeski halfpipe events are set to take place on Saturday at Genting Snow Park in Chongli.