China's evergreen halfpipe heroes hit the heights

With plenty of tricks up their sleeves and still some extra potential to tap into, China's veteran halfpipe snowboarders Cai Xuetong and Liu Jiayu have redefined longevity in the sport with their home World Cup heroics.

Four world championship triumphs, 25 World Cup wins, eight overall season titles over 16 years and counting — Cai and Liu's combined career accolades have enshrined them in the sport's history. Yet the prolific pair have refused to rest on their laurels, with a record fifth Olympics campaign on the horizon.

In a sport that demands exceptional athleticism, Cai and Liu have remarkably remained top contenders into their 30s, securing a one-two finish at the 2023-24 halfpipe World Cup season's opening leg at Genting Resort in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province last week.