Snowboard: Canada’s Anderson wins parallel giant slalom – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Vancouver (AFP) – Canadian veteran Jasey Jay Anderson rose to the challange and upset Austrian favourite Benjamin Karl to win the men’s snowboard parallel slalom gold on Saturday and spark more celebrations for the host country.
The 34-year-old was behind after his first run but powered through his second in heavy fog on Cypress Mountain to beat Karl, the 2009 parallel slalom world champion, by 0.35sec, with France’s Matthieu Bozzetto claiming the bronze.
“I’m shocked, I don’t know what to say. I had so much to make up and in these conditions it’s pretty much impossible,” he said.
“A true athlete drives out adversity so I try to be a true athlete. I love being in new situations where I rise above the challenge.
“All I wanted to do was nice turns and the best I could do was just work, work, work, to do the best I can do.”
“It’s amazing the amount of energy I sucked out of people around me. And it’s amazing to be able to give something back.”
Karl was happy despite missing out on gold, saying one small mistake cost him dearly.
“I’ve been working my whole life for the Olympics. It’s a great feeling. I’m 24, and I’ve already won one Olympic medal, and I’m ready for more,” he said.
“I knew he was very strong. I did a little mistake, and that’s enough against Jasey.”
Parallel giant slalom was introduced to the Olympic programme at Salt Lake City in 2002, replacing the giant slalom.
In the finals two competitors ride simultaneously side-by-side down the courses. They change courses for the second run.
Canada has now won 12 gold medals in their home Olympics to top the medal table.
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