River Runs Gold with YOG Hat Trick
HAFJELL, Norway (Feb. 17, 2016) – River Radamus (Edwards, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) grabs the hat trick Wednesday at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, with his third gold medal of the Games in the giant slalom.
Lindsey Vonn, Ambassador for the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, poses for a photograph with River Radamus during her visit to the Games Monday. (YIS/IOC-Thomas Lovelock)
With this win, Radamus becomes the first skier or snowboarder in history to win three individual gold medals - and his mother was even there to witness him make history. After grabbing the super G and alpine combined golds, Radamus was riding a high and carried the momentum into the giant slalom where he won by 1.07 seconds over Japan’s Yohei Koyama. Germany’s Anton Grammel took home the bronze medal.
River Radamus skis to his third gold medal of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in the giant slalom Thursday. (YIS/IOC-Simon Bruty)
Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games debuted its winter event in 2012 at Innsbruck, Austria. Held every four years, the Youth Olympic Winter Games feature more than 1,100 athletes aged 15 to 18, from around the world. Alpine events will include slalom, giant slalom, super G, downhill and alpine combined. The Games continue through February 21.
Former U.S. Ski Team member and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail athlete Sarah Schleper de Gaxiola, who now skis for Team Mexico, was on hand to grab this picture. The caption reads, "Proud mama! 3 races 3 GOLD #hattrick @lillehammer2016 #Lillehammer2016 #iloveyog A star is rising."
HIGHLIGHTS
- River Radamus became the first skier or snowboarder in history to win three individual gold medals in the Youth Olympic Games.
- Radamus also won the super G and alpine combined events at the Youth Olympic Games.
- Alpine racing continues Thursday with the women’s slalom, where Keely Cashman (Squaw Valley, CA, 16, National Training Group/Squaw Valley Ski Team) will compete. The men will ski slalom on Friday.
- Radamus is also the current U.S Junior National slalom champion.
- Live broadcasts, event and daily highlights are available on the Youth Olympic Winter Games YouTube Channel.
QUOTES
Chad Wolk, Youth Olympic Games and Men's FIS NTG Coach
Today was a special day! River has been building confidence in his skiing since the day he arrived.
Although the super G and alpine combined wins were great, River had high expectations for the giant slalom. He has had some strong training sessions leading up to today's performance. Early in the day he seemed nervous about the added pressure of the previous day's success, but found a way to let go of the external and focus on what he needed to do in order to go fast.
Both courses were challenging, the first run was pretty offset with consistent swing, and the second run had multiple rhythm changes and demanding changes of direction. River executed his tactical approach to a tee. We couldn't be happier for him.
RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom
River Radamus
River Radamus hails from Edwards, Colorado where he learned to ski on the slopes of Vail, alongside his parents who are coaches. Radamus showed promise from an early age, named to the team in 2016. He is a three-time Youth Olympic Games gold medalist; he is the first to achieve this feat. Radamus also won two Junior World Championships gold medals, one in super-G and one in giant slalom.