Beijing parents proud of tiny snowboard sensation

Featured in Olympic opening video, girl could inspire other kids to try winter sports

One-year-old Wang Yuji wowed audiences with her snowboarding skills in a video at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and has been called "the next Gu Ailing" online.

Nicknamed "Beibei", Wang is being raised in a family known for its boldness and adventure. She learned to hold her breath underwater when she was 3 months old and was taken to the grasslands when she was 6 months old.

Beibei's parents, Wang Shu and Fan Xueyin, are outdoor enthusiasts and were crazy about mountain climbing, hiking, diving and camping before their daughter arrived.

The couple decided to end their "boring" life in Beijing and quit their jobs when Fan Xueyin was four months' pregnant to travel around the country in a recreational vehicle.

"We want our baby to breathe fresh air and get close to nature and the richly diverse world," Fan said in an interview with Life Week. "We've met so many different people and seen so many beautiful places during our trips. I've had a very happy pregnancy."

In June, the family arrived in Chongli, a ski resort in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, to escape the summer heat. They stayed until the winter, and the stopover became an opportunity for Beibei to show off her gift for snowboarding.

"She first tried snowboarding when she was 11 months and 14 days old. We took her to a ski shop and discovered that she enjoyed standing on a snowboard.

She was even willing to put on a helmet and goggles," said her father, Wang Shu.

Fan Xueyin said that Beibei loved to play on her father's electric skateboard while they were living in the grasslands when she was around 8 months old.

"I think it was her memories and experience of that electric skateboard that helped her accept the snowboard," she said.

Only 11 months old at the time, she became the youngest snowboarder at the resort. Fan said they took her outdoors one or two hours a day at Chongli, and she learned a few snowboarding skills.

Beibei responds quickly to her father's instructions even though she is too young to speak.

Fan posted a video online with her on the snowboard accompanied by their dog, Wangzai. The video quickly went viral and attracted the attention of Zhang Yimou, the chief director of the Games' opening ceremony.

"His team contacted me saying that they wanted Beibei to be in the introductory video at the opening ceremony," she said. "We were very happy and proud and confirmed shooting details around late December."

She said that the team came to Chongli and filmed Beibei that same month.

Wang Shu said that they hope their experience will encourage more young people to get involved in winter sports, but also reminded parents with children under age 3 to be careful, as skiing can be a risky sport.

"It's good for children to play outdoors in winter. They can ski in temperatures as low as -15 to -20 C as long as they are kept warm and have professional ski gear," he said.

The family is currently in Sanya, Hainan province, enjoying beaches and sunshine.

Fan said that they hope to return to continue their winter sports holidays this coming winter.