Ross Rebagliati from Canada takes first snowboarding gold;
SHIGA KOGEN, Japan, Feb 8 
- Canada's Ross Rebagliati, eighth after the first run, stormed back to take the first
Olympic snowboarding gold medal with a victory in the men's giant slalom on Sunday.
Ross Rebagliati turns on a gate. GEPA/Photo by
Franz Pammer |
Rebagliati, who was 0.56 seconds off the pace after the
first leg, had a combined winning time of two minutes 3.96 seconds, narrowly edging out
Italy's Thomas Prugger by 0.02 seconds. Swiss Ueli Kestenholz took bronze, 0.12 seconds
behind.
`I'm speechless right now, it's incredible to think that I will always be known as the
first Olympic medallist in my sport,` said a jubilant Rebagliati as he hugged his parents
in the finish area.
Jasey-Jay Anderson of Canada, leader after the first run, fell halfway down the course,
ending his hopes of Olympic gold, as riders fought through heavy fog and snow after the
first five competitors had completed their runs.
Full Mens Giant Slalom Results
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