Mathilde Gremaud defends freeski slopestyle gold vs. Eileen Gu – NBC Los Angeles

Mathilde Gremaud went back-to-back in Milan Cortina.

The Swiss skier claimed her second straight Olympic gold in women’s freeski slopestyle Monday, defeating China’s Eileen Gu, who has now earned consecutive silvers in the event.

Gremaud’s golden run came on her second attempt (86.96), when she narrowly overtook Gu’s first-run score of 86.58.

On the third and final runs of the competition, Gu missed the first rail to quickly put an end to her attempt. Gremaud then enjoyed a glory run down the mountain, with the Swiss flag tied around her neck and the gold already secured.

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Gu, a 22-year-old from San Francisco who attends Stanford University, now has two golds and two silvers in her Olympic career for Team China.

In Beijing four years ago, Gu took gold in big air and halfpipe and silver in slopestyle. Gremaud is still the only woman to beat Gu in Olympic competition. The Swiss star, who turned 26 on Sunday, has two golds, a silver and a bronze in her three Olympic appearances.

Team USA freestyle skier Colby Stevenson helps show how freestyle skiing slopestyle works… with his fingers.

Canada’s Megan Oldham overcame a nasty fall on her second run to take bronze. She improved her score to 76.46 in her final run, moments after losing both skis and walking off under her own power on the attempt prior.

Team USA had one representative in the final, 17-year-old Avery Krumme. She placed 11th of the 12 skiers, with her first-run score of 52.40 being her best. Krumme, a Canadian whose mother is from Texas, missed the first rail on her final run similarly to Gu.

While she didn’t win gold in slopestyle, Gu still has two more chances to add to her medal count. She’ll aim to defend her gold medals in the upcoming big air and halfpipe competitions, which are considered stronger events for her.