ZHANGJIAKOU: Californian-born Chinese sensation Eileen Gu topped qualification for the women's freeski halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday, as she aims for her third medal of the Games.

Gu, who has already bagged one gold and one silver in the Chinese capital, set the standard in qualifying with a first-run score of 93.75 before bettering it with 95.50 on her second attempt.

The 18-year-old, who in 2019 switched from representing the US to China, will compete last in the running order in Friday's 12-woman final.

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Canada's Rachael Karker finished second in qualifying on 89.50, while Estonia's Kelly Sildaru was third on 87.50.