New Zealand’s first title at the Winter Games
Snowboarder Zoe Sadowski Sinnott brought New Zealand its first ever Olympic gold medal at the Winter Games on Sunday, on a national holiday, in the ice swimming event at the Beijing Olympics.
With a near-perfect speed of 92.88 on her third and final attempt, Sadoski Cenote, dressed in all-black, edged out American Julia Marino (87.68 points) and Australia’s Tess Coady (84, 15).
The New Zealander won a bronze medal in the big air (big hill) at the Pyeongchang Games four years ago.
“I can’t believe it. I am so proud of the progress that has been made over the past four years, and so proud of showing off the capabilities of the Kiwis, as their country celebrates its National Day on February 6.
“I really hope my performance here will encourage young people, and all New Zealanders, to take on snowboarding, the best sport out there,” the young woman added.
Two-time gold medalist since entering the downhill (a descent full of jumps and metal obstacles) on the Olympic program in 2014 in Sochi, American Jimmy Anderson, 31, couldn’t do better this time than 9And Center (60.78 points) in Zhangjiakou Glacier Park.
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