Lindsey Jacobellis enjoys Beijing Winter Olympics redemption 16 years after horror fumble

Team USA's Lindsey Jacobellis on Wednesday won her country's first gold medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics, finally enjoying redemption 16 years after showboating near the finish cost her the title.

In a moment that was televised and widely ridiculed in 2006, Jacobellis fumbled a trick move and was overtaken at the finish line when she was within metres of winning gold.

The 36-year old, who until Wednesday had failed to reach the podium in the past three Olympics, stated her journey was one of determination.

"They can keep talking about it [2006 Games] all they want because it really shaped me into the individual that I am and kept me hungry and really helped me keep fighting in the sport," she said after winning the snowboard cross title.

She thus became the oldest US woman to win a gold. Also, the 16 years marked the longest gap between medals for any US woman.

Jacobellis said if she had won in Turin in 2006, she would not be competing now, adding that she had started to dislike the sport.

"I wasn't really having fun with it," she said of the 2006 Games.

"There was so much pressure on me to be the golden girl. I'd won so many races going into it and it's a lot for a young athlete to have on their plate," she said.

Jacobellis finished with a comfortable lead at the Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou. France's Chloe Trespeuch took silver and Meryeta O'Dine of Canada the bronze.

Asked how her gold would impact her life, Jacobellis said it wouldn't. "It just makes me feel like I have another accomplishment and looking at the next way I can grow as a person and as an athlete," Jacobellis said.

Mikaela Shiffrin prior to the women's slalom run at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Getty

Meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin's continued