USA TODAY International Edition
Bronze day: Sigourney, Shib Sibs
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — After season-ending injuries the two seasons going into Sochi, freeskier Brita Sigourney was just happy to be there. Her sport made its debut, and the halfpipe skier was glad to get to compete.
But Pyeongchang was different. The 28-year-old had put her body through the ringer for the sport that she loves. She wanted more here, and she got it.
Sigourney won bronze in the Olympic final Tuesday at Phoenix Snow Park.
“At my first Olympics, I just didn’t know what to expect and I was so happy to be there, but this time I really wanted it,” she said. “I’m still in shock. I didn’t know that I could do that. Just to see myself compete under that pressure and pull it off, I’m so relieved.”
Canadian Cassie Sharpe won gold with a score of 95.80, and France’s Marie Martinod claimed silver with 92.60.
Sigourney bumped U.S. teammate Annalisa Drew (90.80) with her third run, scoring a 91.60. Sigourney put down a final run that included a 900, a 720 and plenty of amplitude.
She has had three knee surgeries, two shoulder surgeries, one thumb surgery and one ankle surgery just to stay in the sport. “I feel like I’ve overcome so much, and it definitely helps to have an Olympic medal to prove everything I’ve overcome was worth it and all those surgeries were worth it, and it was worth it to keep fighting and all that rehab and physical therapy I’ve done was worth it.”