Defending champions made a good start at the first stop of the 2007-08 Free Style FIS (International Ski Federation) World Cup series at Lianhuashan ski resort in Changchun on Friday.

Steve Omischl from Canada and Jacqui Cooper from Australia, last season's overall World Cup champions, won the men's and women's freestyle skiing aerial gold medals, while Chinese skiers Han Xiaopeng and Guo Xinxin won the men's and women's bronze medals.

Finishing first in the qualifiers, Omischl, the 2005 world champion, led the 12-competitor final to win the men's event with 247.55 points. Dmitri Dashinski from Belarus finished second with 237.33.

"I'm very happy with my performance today. I won the overall last year, so I wear the yellow jet and I want to defend my title," said Omischl. "I'm ready for another strong season."

For Han, the biggest home favorite, 2006 Turin Winter Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion, it was a little disappointment to lose the gold, but he promised to do better at the second stop.

"It's a pity that I didn't win the gold," he said. "My unsteadiness in landing cost me victory and I will try to improve it next time."

On the women's side, veteran Cooper claimed the gold with two clean and steady jumps, beating her compatriot Lydia Lassila.

China's young skier Guo finished third.

(China Daily December 22, 2007)