China dominated the first-ever mixed relay event in ski mountaineering at the Asian Winter Games on Wednesday, with young talents Cidanyuzhen and Buluer claiming gold in a commanding performance.

The mixed relay features teams of one male and one female athlete. In the preliminary round, competitors raced separately, with their combined times determining qualification. Japan's Yurie Tanaka and Tokutaro Shima recorded the fastest time of 14 minutes, 8.39 seconds, securing the top spot, while Cidanyuzhen and Buluer advanced in second place, 27 seconds behind.

Buluer of China reacts during the Ski Mountaineering mixed relay final match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

The final round was a relay format, with each athlete completing two ascents and descents per leg in a woman-man-woman-man sequence, culminating in a male finisher crossing the line.

China took control early in the final. Cidanyuzhen completed the opening leg in 7:34.12, finishing just shy of teammate Suolangquzhen by less than two seconds.

"Falling behind in the first leg wasn't an issue," Cidanyuzhen said after the race. "I saved some energy, knowing there would be opportunities later. I trust my endurance."

Buluer seized the lead in the second leg, and the young duo continued to extend their advantage with each exchange. By the penultimate handoff, an exhilarated Cidanyuzhen charged into the transition zone, shouting with excitement.

"I wasn't exhausted. I was just pushing myself forward," she recalled.

The pair crossed the finish line first in 27:48.67, with China's other two pairs -- Yu Jingxuan/Bi Yuxin and Suolangquzhen/Liu Jianbin -- claiming silver and bronze, finishing 32.29 seconds and 1:39.00 behind, respectively.

This relay gold marked the second title for both Cidanyuzhen and Buluer at the Games, following their sprint victories on Sunday.

"I'm thrilled to win two golds for my country in ski mountaineering's Asian Winter Games debut," said 19-year-old Buluer. "This sport is still new, but I hope to achieve more and promote it so that more people can get involved."

Beyond China's podium sweep, duos from Japan, South Korea, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan also reached the finals. Both the mixed relay and individual sprint events are set to make their Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Jordi Canals Fontan, general secretary of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, attended the race in Harbin and described the competition as a landmark moment.

"This milestone is only the first for many of them, but I believe there will be a second, a third, and many more to come in the future," Fontan said.

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