US teen Gerard makes history
From near-death to podium, McMorris takes bronze Winter Olympics Medal Table/Medalists
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea, Feb 11, (Agencies): Teen sensation Red Gerard nailed a tension-packed final jump on Sunday to win the slopestyle snowboarding and become the first Winter Olympic medallist born this century.
Aged 17 and 227 days, Gerard handed the US their first gold of the Pyeongchang Games with his slopestyle win, making him the youngest US Winter Olympic champion since 1928.
Gerard, born on June 29, 2000, also set a record for the youngest gold medallist in any snowboarding event that was held previously by Kelly Clark, the 2002 women’s halfpipe champion at age 18 years and 199 days.
The first medallist born in the 2000’s, Gerard is also the youngest US man to win Winter Olympic gold since 16-yearold bobsled driver Billy Fiske piloted a five-man crew to the title 90 years ago.
“I cannot believe it,” Gerard said. “I’m shaking right now, maybe from the cold, or the excitement. I don’t know. But I’m ecstatic. I can’t believe it.
“Just to land a run would have been plenty for me and to get on the podium, but to get first is crazy.”
The 17-year-old landed a backside snow. He built his own snowboarding training ground with his brother at the back of his family home as his ambitions grew. Seventeen family members are in Pyeongchang supporting him.
“It’s definitely crazy having a group of 17 people on the slope run-in, knowing that they are there,” he said.
“They helped with everything in the build-up... and they smack me back into place when I get all cocky.”
Appearing at an Olympics was top of his career targets after joining the World Cup circuit in 2015. And it lived up to all his expectations.
“It was awesome. I just told myself that I want to land a run and I was a little bummed on my first two runs because I fell a couple of times,” he said.
“I’m just so happy that it all worked out.” Canada’s Parrot, who won the XGames Big Air this year in Aspen, Colorado, also had a disappointing first two runs but hoisted himself into silver on his last attempt, and threatened for more.
“I saw Red landing his run,” Parrot said. “It was just clean from top to bottom and that’s what the judges wanted to see.”
Third placed McMorris said the bronze medal was just like winning gold for him following a near-fatal accident 11 months ago. McMorris was fighting for his life after breaking 17 bones and suffering a collapsed lung and ruptured spleen in a snowboarding accident.
When Simen Hegstad Krueger slipped and fell on the first lap of the 30-kilometer cross-country skiathlon and found himself face down in the snow with two rivals on top of him, he figured his hopes at an Olympic medal were over. He couldn’t have been more wrong. “Here it is my first ever Olympic race, and it starts in the worst possible way,” said the Norwegian, who untangled his legs and his skis from the two Russian competitors he wrecked, grabbed his broken ski pole and stormed up the hill to get back in contention.
Starting from the rear, Krueger passed 63 other skiers to take the lead and win the gold medal on Sunday to cap an amazing comeback. After Krueger
Norway’s Simen Hegstad Krueger sprints to win the men’s 15km + 15km cross-country skiathlon at the Alpensia cross-country ski centre during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on Feb 11, in Pyeongchang.
(AFP) Netherlands’ Sven Kramer competes during the men’s 5,000m speedskating event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the
Gangneung Oval in Gangneung on Feb 11. (AFP)
crossed the line in 1 hour, 16 minutes, 20 seconds, he looked to the heavens and repeatedly pumped his fists in the air.
Norway swept the medals, with Martin Johnsrud Sundby taking silver and
USA’s gold medallist Redmond Gerard poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the snowboard Men’s Slopestyle at the Pyeongchang Medals Plaza during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on Feb 11. (AFP)
Hans Christer Holund getting bronze.
Sundby said Krueger’s return to the front of the field after crashing is an incredible testament to his perseverance.
“I think we have a deserving Olympic champion,” Sundby said.
Holund said he would expect nothing more from a Norwegian skier in a sport they have dominated for years.
See Also Page 33 to 35