The ISMF Series 3 – Asian Cup, took place in Gangwon, South Korea, on 7–8 March 2026, bringing together a wide field of athletes from across Asia and beyond for two days of competition in the Vertical and Sprint disciplines. The event saw strong participation from Korea, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Thailand, highlighting the continued growth of ski mountaineering across the continent.
On 7 March, athletes opened the weekend with the Vertical Race, which delivered high‑level performances in both the women’s and men’s fields.
In the women’s Vertical, China secured an impressive 1–2 finish. Suolangquzhen (CHN) claimed victory in 23:51.2, just ahead of teammate Mao Shengmei (CHN), who crossed the line in 23:53.9 (+2.7 seconds). Assem Nazyrova (KAZ) completed the podium in 25:22.5.
In the men’s Vertical, Bi Yuxin (CHN) continued China’s strong form, winning decisively in 18:14.7. He was followed by teammate Liu Kai (CHN) with 20:00.4, while Jung Jae Won (KOR) delivered a strong home performance to take third in 20:56.8.
The excitement continued on 8 March with the Sprint events, featuring fast‑paced action in both senior categories. In the Sprint Men Final, Bi Yuxin (CHN) completed an exceptional double victory by taking gold in 02:27.8, having led through all qualifying rounds. Liu Kai (CHN) again secured second place in 02:34.2, with Jung Jae Won (KOR) taking third in 02:38.6, mirroring the Vertical podium.
In the Sprint Women, China once again topped the field. This time it was Mao Shengmei (CHN) who claimed the gold, winning the final in 03:23.9, followed by Vertical winner Suolangquzhen (CHN) in 03:28.0 (+4.0). Assem Nazyrova (KAZ) maintained consistency with another strong performance, securing third place in 03:50.5.
Across both days, the host nation Korea fielded a large and diverse team, demonstrating the depth of its national program, while international competitors contributed to a strong and competitive regional field. The Asian Cup continues to serve as a key competitive platform for both emerging talents and experienced athletes, providing essential experience ahead of major international events.
Overall, the Gangwon event successfully delivered the third stage of the 2026 ISMF Series, strengthening regional competition opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the global ski mountaineering calendar.
