Zhangjiakou, China — No approach was snowboarder Chloe Kim taking a straightforward journey down the halfpipe for her victory lap on her third and remaining run Thursday.
Not with the proper stage - and the stress off - to see if she may land one in every of her hardest methods, a cab 1260 (3-1/2 spins).
And whereas the American standout fell, she rapidly obtained again up and glided to the underside of the halfpipe with a brand new title: back-to-back Olympic champion.
"I used to be curious to see what would occur. Undoubtedly did not go my approach," the 21-year-old from California stated of her hardest trick. "I did it as soon as in apply and it went effectively. So, completely different. We'll strive it one other day."
On at the present time within the mountains above Beijing, the one actual drama was for second place, with 32-year-old Queralt Castellet of Spain taking silver in her fifth Olympic look. Sena Tomita of Japan held off Cai Xuetong of China for bronze.
Nobody was matching Kim's top or demanding array of methods. Not after a gap efficiency that featured a wide range of completely different spins and rotations, together with a entrance and bottom 1080 (three spins every). That flawless run appeared to shock even her as she coated her mouth in pleasure. She later informed a coach it was the most effective one she's finished.
Kim joins fellow American Shaun White as the one snowboarders to defend their Olympic titles within the halfpipe. White completed the feat in 2006 and 2010. Because the defending champion from the Pyeongchang Video games, White can do it once more on Friday.
Watching the competition Thursday was IOC President Thomas Bach and Chinese language freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who just lately gained the Olympic huge air competitors. They had been handled to fairly a efficiency by Kim, who gained on the 2018 Pyeongchang Video games as a 17-year outdated. Gu gave Kim a hug after one in every of her three runs.
Kim was the youngest girl snowboarder ever to win an Olympic gold medal along with her 2018 efficiency, CBSSports.com factors out.
"I discover it inspirational that everybody's out progressing the game," Kim stated. "On the final Olympics, you did not see that many 1080s, and now everyone seems to be doing a 1080. That is fairly the development, and it is such an honor to be a part of this sport and assist progress girls's halfpipe snowboarding."
Kim's gold stood out much more as a result of it got here after she'd been away from competitors for nearly two years to give attention to her research and psychological well being, the Reuters information company factors out.
"I feel the most important lesson I've learnt from the final Olympics was being as open as attainable. It is unfair to be anticipated to be excellent," Kim informed reporters at a packed information convention, based on Reuters, which stated she was affected by burnout and frustration after the Pyeongchang Video games.
This time, regardless of realizing she had the gold sewn up, there wasn't a lot of a celebration earlier than the final try. No, there was nonetheless work to do - attempting to land the 1260. She nearly did.
"Spinning all 4 methods and mastery of the game has been a purpose," her coach Ricky Bower stated. "She got here out right here and showcased precisely what she wished to and I am so pleased with her."
That is how dominant Kim has been: She hasn't misplaced a contest since 2019. Even then, she had motive - she was competing on what turned out to be a damaged ankle.
"She positively pushes the game so exhausting," Cai stated. "We, the remainder of the women, attempt to problem her."