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Austrian Mayer storms to downhill victory
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Austrian Matthias Mayer conquered the treacherous Rosa Khutor run at Russia’s Winter Olympics yesterday to win the men’s downhill, while the host nation was eyeing its first gold medal of the Games in the inaugural figure skating team event.
On the second day of full competition on Russia’s Black Sea coast, Mayer claimed one of the Sochi Games’ biggest titles, as pre-race favorites American Bode Miller and Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal failed to make the podium.
Son of 1988 super-G silver medalist Helmut, Mayer edged out Italy’s Christof Innerhofer by 0.06 seconds on an overcast day in the Caucasus mountains.
“It’s crazy. It’s the greatest thing you can achieve as a sportsman - unbelievable,” said the 23-year-old.
On the ice, Irene Wust of the Netherlands won the women’s 3,000 meters Olympic crown, but the biggest roar went to Olga Graf who finished a surprise third to give the host nation its first medal.
Wust powered to victory, holding her nerve to steal gold from defending champion Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic and recapture the Olympic crown she first won in 2006.
Graf punched the air in delight upon realizing her time but her expression turned to embarrassment soon after as she unzipped her suit to the waist before suddenly realizing and grabbing the zip edges to protect her modesty.
“I heard the crowd cheering for me and I didn’t expect such support from the audience,” said the skater, before addressing her wardrobe malfunction.
“I totally forgot that I had nothing under my suit,” she said, her steely focus disintegrating into a broad smile.
President Vladimir Putin congratulated his compatriot. “I am sure your success will boost the spirit of the Russian Olympians and give them added strength and confidence,” he said.
Russia’s best chance of gold yesterday was in figure skating, after debutante Julia Lipnitskaya, 15, blew away more illustrious rivals with her short skate on Saturday and put the hosts within striking distance of the Olympic team title.
Swiss cross-country skier Dario Cologna surged to a surprise victory in the men’s skiathlon and Jamie Anderson clinched the inaugural women’s snowboarding slopestyle gold after compatriot Sage Kotsenburg matched the feat in the men’s event on Saturday.
Jenny Jones claimed the bronze Ñ Britain’s first Olympic medal in a snow event.
Defending champion Anastasiya Kuzmina of Slovakia became the first woman to win two Olympic titles in the same individual biathlon when she stormed to victory in the 7.5-kilometer sprint.
The Russian-born Kuzmina won in a time of 21 minutes 6.8 seconds to see off Russia’s Olga Vilukhina who was 19.9 seconds behind. Vita Semerenko of Ukraine took bronze, 21.7 seconds behind the champion.
Kuzmina’s brother is Russian biathlete Anton Shipulin, who was fourth on Saturday.
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