Ramping up for Milan

"I didn't land all my runs the way I'd expected, falling a little bit short of my own expectations, but, overall, it was a good night for me," said Zhao, who was competing in just his second World Cup event, following his debut at the season opener in Chongli.

"It was a great learning curve, though, which helped me gain more experience and to become more mentally mature at this level.

"More importantly, all the Chinese snowboarders riding together makes me feel so good, like a family."

The Chinese riders' fast progress has also left some of the world's best impressed.

Canada's snowboarding legend Mark McMorris, a three-time Olympian who has visited China frequently over the past 15 years, said he had seen it coming years ago.

"The sport as a whole is growing so much in China," said McMorris, who, at 31, is still pushing to try and qualify for Italy and what would be his fourth Olympics.

"The Chinese athletes at this level are riding so well. They looked really good in the air. They've been putting in a lot of work, and you guys have a lot of nice facilities now, so it only makes sense that they grow so well," said the three-time Olympic bronze medalist and holder of a record 24 Winter X Games medals.