Vonn misses podium as Ledecka claims shock win
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA: Lindsey Vonn missed out on a medal in the ladies’ super-G at Pyeongchang 2018 as Ester Ledecka claimed one of the most unexpected victories in the history of the Winter Olympics.
The Czech Republic’s Ledecka is better known as a world champion snowboarder, set to compete in the parallel giant slalom next week, and has never finished on the podium in an FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup event.
Yet the 22-year-old sensationally triumphed on Saturday, completing her run of one minute and 21.11 seconds to deny defending champion Anna Veith in the most remarkable fashion. Veith had looked sure to defend her title with all the favourites for glory having raced, but Ledecka - ranked 43rd overall in Alpine super-G this year - duly pipped the Austrian by one hundredth of a second, with Vonn finishing sixth.
“I really don’t know what happened,” said the champion, whose amazement was clear as her winning time flashed up on screen. Ledecka was reportedly racing on skis borrowed from American star Mikaela Shiffrin, who immediately took to Twitter to congratulate the Czech.
FROM AMBULANCE TO A SILVER FINISH
A day after being rushed to hospital in an ambulance after a training accident, Swiss teenager Mathilde Gremaud passed a concussion test on Saturday before grabbing a courageous silver medal in the slopestyle at the Pyeongchang Games.
The 18-year-old freestyle skier had banged her head when attempting a trick during training on Friday and after getting groggily to her feet, ended up in hospital for a CT scan.“I actually don’t remember what happened,” she told reporters after finishing runner-up behind compatriot Sarah Hoefflin at the Phoenix Snow Park. British skier Isabel Atkin took the bronze. “After 180 degrees, I stopped my rotation and I fell on my back and hit my head pretty hard,” Gremaud said. “I was crying. “I had a little bit of a headache... This morning I was praying that everything was alright. I did some concussion test with the doctor. He said everything was alright and I just enjoyed the day.”
HANYU WINS 1,000TH GOLD OF WINTER GAMES
Yuzuru Hanyu’s latest victory has an extra-special place in Olympics history.
The Japanese figure skater won the 1,000th gold medal since the Winter Games began in 1924, defending his title in the men’s individual competition on Saturday.
Hanyu was also the first man to win consecutive golds in the event since American Dick Button did it in 1948 and 1952. Hanyu called it “the best day” of his skating life. He held off countryman Shoma Uno and Spain’s Javier Fernandez to win in Pyeongchang.