First American Wins Gold In Olympics

Sage Kotsenburg, USA Olympic Gold Medalist in Slopestyle Snowboarding

Sage Kotensburg, of Park City, Utah, brought in the first goal for Team USA, winning the Slopestyle Snowboarding event yesterday in Sochi, Russia.

Kotensburg’s achievements prior to the Gold were winning the Mammoth Mountain U.S. Grand Prix (2013-14), 20th place in the World Championships(2013),three-time X Games medalist (2 silvers, 2010 & 2012, and 1 bronze, 2011), and a four-time Dew Tour top-three finisher, among others.

As USA Today reports on his performance,

“He wanted to throw a trick called “Back 16 Japan” on his first run in the Olympic finals, never mind that he hadn’t tried the move in practice or prior competition. No one talked him out of it.

‘I ended up landing it, and winning with it,’ Kotsenburg said, laughing.

Kotsenburg, the third rider in the 12-man final, received a score of 93.50 on that first run, and that score held up through the nine competitors that followed him, and through all of the second run.”