Boarders on brink of breakthrough

Going public

While China's halfpipe chances in Pyeongchang are looking up, it is hoped upgraded facilities and training programs at local resorts will result in more podium finishes at the Beijing 2022 Olympics and beyond.

The Genting resort, which will host freestyle ski and snowboard in 2022, will open its new halfpipe ramp, which debuted at the World Cup, to the public every afternoon after the professionals have finished training on it.

"Our program is to keep most of the venues open after the 2022 Olympics and make them available to the public," said Benno Nager, chief operation officer of the resort.

"Our goal is to have the ability to not only host the Olympics but also to give guests more variety in terrain and training to get more people involved from beginners all the way up to the pros," he said.

Genting will complete construction of all the 2022 venues, including the aerial jumps, ski-cross course and parallel tracks, in two years' time and will build six more chairlifts to go with 50 new ski trails before hosting the 2021 World Championships.

Nager also unveiled a plan to work with the Canadian national team to train local staff at Genting's ski school.

A youth promotion program conducted in conjunction with local schools has seen 500 students learn skiing and snowboarding every week at the resort this season, contributing to the country's ambitious plan to involve 300 million people in winter sports by 2022.

"Hopefully, with high-level competition drawing exposure and upgraded facilities boosting the grassroots scene, the rising public participation in winter sports will translate into success at elite level," said Sun Yuanfu, a deputy director of the Winter Sports Administrative Center.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn