ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — When sports fans hear the name Eileen Gu over the next 12 months, it will not be by accident. Hard work, laser-focused planning, an unworldly wealth of talent and a splendid bit of timing could turn this 17-year-old freeskier into the most recognizable daredevil in the action-sports world. Gu, who hails from San Francisco but has roots in China, broke through Friday night to become a Winter X-Games champion on the halfpipe. Next February, she will be on the short list of gold-medal contenders at the Beijing Olympics. A win there could be nothing less than transformative for snow sports in China. Gu skied most of her childhood on the U.S. team, but she will compete for the home team at the Beijing Olympics.
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