First Olympic Medals Awarded in Alpine Skiing

The Olympic debut of alpine skiing took place in Bormio, marking a significant milestone for the sport. This event crowned its first champions at the Milan-Cortina Games, highlighting the athlete’s skills and resilience.

First Olympic Medals Awarded in Alpine Skiing

On a snowy Thursday, Swiss skier Marianne Fatton made history by completing the course in 2 minutes 59.77 seconds. Her performance secured her the gold medal, making her the first Olympic champion in this newly included discipline.

Medal Winners

• Gold: Marianne Fatton (Switzerland)
• Silver: Emily Harrop (France) – Finished 2.38 seconds behind
• Bronze: Ana Alonso Rodriguez (Spain) – Overcame an ACL injury

In the men’s event, Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll claimed victory with a swift performance. He was followed by Nikita Filippov, who earned silver, marking him as the first neutral athlete (AIN) to medal in Italy. French competitor Thibault Anselmet completed the medal podium.

Event Details

Alpine skiing, known as “skimo,” was introduced to the Olympic program in 2021. The competition featured three rounds, each lasting approximately three minutes. Contestants faced a challenging course filled with diamond-shaped patterns and obstacles, culminating in intense climbs and descents.

• The women’s event commenced first, followed by the men’s event 20 minutes later.
• Participants had to remove skins from their skis after reaching the peak to prepare for the descent.

Key Highlights

Fatton’s gold medal was of personal significance, as her mother, Anna Janouskova, represented the Czech Republic in cross-country skiing at the 1992 Albertville Games. The event drew international attention, with competitors enjoying the electric atmosphere of the Olympics.

Anna Gibson, an American athlete who reached the semifinals, noted the thrill of standing at the starting line with the Olympic rings in view.

Alonso Rodriguez faced major challenges on the road to the competition, including a serious bicycle accident in September. Her determination paid off as she focused on rehabilitation leading up to the event.

Looking Ahead

The final alpine skiing event will feature a mixed team relay scheduled for Saturday, showcasing teamwork and strategy. These inaugural Olympic medals in alpine skiing mark an exciting new chapter for the sport.