China’s half- pipe star snowboarder Zhang Yiwei wants to try big air

China’s half- pipe snowboarding star Zhang Yiwei said the Air+ Style event held at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing has inspired him to try his hand at big air.

Zhang, who won silver at the 2015 World Championships, attended the big air event as a guest rather an athlete.

“It was exciting,” said the 24- yearold. “I want to try a big air competition though I major in half- pipe.

Though three Chinese athletes failed to qualify for the final round, the event attracted about 10,000 people on Saturday night.

“I didn’t expect such a large audience here,” Zhang told reporters, saying the Air+ Style event will boost awareness of winter sports ahead of Beijing hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022. “If I’m not available to compete next year, I will definitely try the year after next.”

Marcus Kleveland of Norway, 17, won the championship with 177.83 points, followed by Canadians Sebastien Toutant with 176.66 points and Darcy Sharpe with 166.66 points. Defending champion Max Parrot was unexpectedly eliminated in the semifinal.

It was the seventh edition of the snowboarding festival held in Beijing.

Zhang, one of the leading figures of Chinese snowboarding, is in preparation for the Asian Winter Games which is set to take place in February in Sapporo, Japan. “Currently I’m on the way back to my peak,” Zhang said. “I want to deliver the best of me at the Asian Winter Games.””