Zhu Yangqi (second from left) clinches the women's title at the third race of IBSF Asian Cup Skeleton Pyeongchang 2024. [Photo/WeChat ID: jsfb625]

At the third race of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Asian Cup Skeleton Pyeongchang 2024 on Nov 14, Zhu Yangqi from Jiangshan, a county-level city in Quzhou, clinched the women's title with a time of 1 minute and 52.03 seconds.

Meanwhile, Wang Guanshuo, also from Jiangshan, finished third in the women’s category of the fourth race on Nov 15.

The 2024-25 IBSF Asian Cup Skeleton consists of eight races. The first four races took place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, while the remaining four will be held in Yanqing district, Beijing. In the Pyeongchang races, Zhu and Wang were the only two female athletes fielded by China.

Skeleton racing is a winter sport where athletes use a small sled to slide headfirst down an ice track at high speeds, relying on the momentum from the initial push-off. It is an extension of traditional bobsleigh and is known for its high speeds and inherent danger.

The sport was first included in the Winter Olympics in 1928 but was subsequently removed. It made a comeback in the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the 2026 Winter Olympics will see the addition of a mixed team event for the sport.