Highest-Paid Winter Olympian Eileen Gu Secures Slopestyle Final Spot After Early Scare

Milan, Saturday, 7 February 2026.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the stakes were exceptionally high at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as Eileen Gu, the world’s highest-paid winter athlete, narrowly avoided early elimination. After a disastrous first run in the slopestyle qualifiers yielded a score of just 1.26, the Chinese freestyle skiing superstar executed a critical recovery, scoring 75.30 to advance to the finals. With an estimated annual income of $23 million and a massive portfolio of luxury endorsements including Louis Vuitton and Porsche, Gu’s performance carries significant economic weight beyond the slopes. As she prepares for the February 9 final, her ability to deliver under pressure remains vital for the brands banking on her unique cross-market appeal in both China and the West.