Belarus' Maxim Gustik claimed gold at the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup in Beijing ©Getty Images

Belarus' Maxim Gustik and China's Kong Fangyu claimed the male and female titles at today's International Skiing Federation (FIS) Freestyle Aerials World Cup in Beijing, with the Chinese hosts also pipping Belarus and Russia to the team title.

Competition was taking place on a 41 metres-tall scaffolding structure erected inside the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium, the planned venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Gustik, aerials bronze medallist at this year's World Championships in Kreischberg, was awarded a superb score of 121.24 points in the final. 

This allowed him to narrowly beat Australia's David Morris, who finished second with 120.80 and Ukraine's Olekandr Abramenko, who claimed the final place on the podium with 119.90.

It proved a disappointing event for China, with Wu Shudi leading the home charge in fifth place on 103.74. 

World champion Qi Guangpu, winner of yesterday's season-opening World Cup event, had to settle for 18th after a disappointing performance. 

Action is taking place on a 41 metre tall skaffholding structure in the Bird's Nest Stadium in the Chinese capital ©Getty Images
Action took place on a 41 metre tall scaffolding structure in the Bird's Nest Stadium in the Chinese capital ©Getty Images

There was plenty for the host nation to celebrate elsewhere today, however, with 22-year-old Kong Fangyu accruing 96.90 points in the final. 

This proved enough to finish ahead of yesterday's American winner Ashley Caldwell's total of 89.50.

Another Chinese athlete completed the podium in Quan Hullin, who scored 86.62.

Kong then teamed up with Qi and Lu Zhongqing to lead China to the mixed team title with a total of 329 points.

Gustik led a Belorussian team also consisting of Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya and Denis Osipau to second place on 301.23 while Russia's Aleksandra Orlova, Vasily Polenov and Pavel Krotov took bronze on 299.65.

The next two legs of the World Cup are due to take place in the United States at Lake Placid, host city of the 1980 Winter Olympics, on January 15 and 16.