YOG: Radamus Grabs Another Gold
HAFJELL, Norway (Feb. 14, 2016) - River Radamus (Edwards, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) doubled-up Sunday at the Olympic Youth Winter Games, grabbing his second gold medal of the Games in the alpine combined.
“The first (gold) came definitely as a shock,” Radamus said. “To win two in two days, is pretty awesome.”
Gold medal winner River Radamus during the slalom portion of the alpine combined at the Youth Olympic Winter Games Sunday. (YIS/IOC-Arnt Folvik)
Fresh off his super G victory Saturday, Radamus once again grabbed gold in the combined super G/slalom event, this time by 0.07 seconds over Austria’s Manuel Traninger, who also took the bronze in Saturday’s super G. Italy’s Peitro Canzio, silver medalist in the super G, added a bronze medal in the combined.
Radamus won the morning super G by 0.89 seconds over Italy’s Michael Tedde, who eventually finished 10th. However, a slight mistake near the finish of the slalom almost cost him a shot at the gold.
“I cross-blocked a little funky and I never really got it back until the second to last gate,” he said of losing his right pole. “I built a lead after the first run and I needed every hundredth (of a second) there in the end to win.”
Radamus, who commended the race crew for providing a perfect course for Sunday’s race, is scheduled to compete in Wednesday’s giant slalom and Thursday’s slalom events. But despite the pressure of already winning two races, he is excited just to soak up the experience.
“In the last couple of days, I’ve been skiing really well, just in freeskiing and training, and obviously in the races,” he said. “And I think I’m in a really good spot mentally; I’ve got confidence in my skiing and what I’m able to do, and I’m not putting any expectations on myself for the rest of the events, but I like where I’m at.”
In the women’s event, Keely Cashman (Squaw Valley, CA, 16, National Training Group/Squaw Valley Ski Team) was the only American and failed to finish the slalom portion. Switzerland won the gold and silver with Aline Danioth and Melanie Meillard going 1-2. Germany’s Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger won the bronze.
River Radamus rocks the super G en-route to another gold medal at the Youth Olympic Winter Games Sunday. (YIS/IOC-Arnt Folvik)
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.
HIGHLIGHTS
- River Radamus became the first U.S. athlete to win two gold medals at the Youth Olympic Winter Games.
- Radamus is also the current U.S Junior National slalom champion.
- Alpine racing at the Youth Olympic Winter Game continues Wednesday with the giant slalom.
- Live broadcasts, event and daily highlights are available on the Youth Olympic Winter Games YouTube Channel.
QUOTES
River Radamus
I cross-blocked a little funky and I never really got it back until the second to last gate. I built a lead after the first run and I needed every hundredth (of a second) there in the end to win.
I came into the Games with no expectations whatsoever. I had an idea of where I’m ranked … but I’ve never raced against any of these guys. I just wanted to come here and have fun and take in the entire experience and just let whatever happens, happen.
The first (gold) came definitely as a shock. To win two in two days is pretty awesome.
In the last couple of days, I’ve been really well, just in freeskiing and training, and obviously in the races. And I think I’m in a really good spot mentally, I’ve got confidence in my skiing and what I’m able to do and I’m not putting any expectations on myself for the rest of the event, but I like where I’m at.
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.