BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Giulia Tanno of Switzerland sat atop the women's freeski big air qualification, while Norway's Birk Ruud and Finland's Elias Syrja became group leaders in the men's competitions at the three-day 2019 Air & Style Beijing FIS World Cup here on Friday.
Six of 16 female contestants reached Saturday's final. Tanno registered a match-leading 178.5 points, followed by Canadian skier Dara Howell, who posted 168.25 points. Italy's Silvia Bertagna also broke into top three with 165.75 points.
China dispatched four female skiers, but nobody managed a berth in the final. Yang Shuorui became the highest-ranked Chinese skier, sitting 12th.
In men's category, 44 skiers are divided into two groups, with the top five finishers of each group securing final spots.
Registering 186.75 points, Ruud was placed first in heat one. The Norwegian was followed by Canada's Teal Harle (186.25 points) and Norway's Christian Nummedal (182.25).
China's Zhang Shihao and Zhao Qinglin sat 19th and 20th respectively.
Syrja led heat two with 181.75 points. Switzerland's Kim Gubser (180.75) claimed the second position, followed by fellow Swiss Andri Ragettli (177.25).
China's Fan Yulong ranked 19th, two places ahead of his compatriot Yuan Ming.
Marking its 10th straight year in Beijing, the 2019 Air & Style competition includes the freeski event for the first time, and is ongoing at the brand-new Shougang Park permanent venue set to host competitions during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
