Xu Mingfu of China competes during the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

When Xu Mingfu crossed the finish line in the men's downhill at Beijing 2022 on Monday, he made a historic breakthrough as the first Chinese racer to complete the demanding Alpine skiing event at an Olympic Games.

Xu clocked one minute and 56.93 seconds to finish 36th, 14.24 seconds adrift of winner Beat Feuz of Switzerland. However, the result did not matter much for Xu. What counted was the fact he finished the race.

Xu said he was filled with fear when he trained on a downhill piste for the first time.

And he believes that his breakthrough at Beijing 2022 will help usher in a bright future for the Chinese Alpine skiing.

"Definitely, our future will be better and better, as we have made the first step, and we will have more chances to improve ourselves," he said.

Xu Mingfu of China reacts after the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Xu Mingfu of China reacts after the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Xu Mingfu of China reacts after the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Xu Mingfu of China competes during the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Xu Mingfu of China competes during the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at the National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)