Winter Olympics: Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis says 2006 fall inspired Beijing gold

Lindsey Jacobellis got the United States’ 2022 Winter Olympics campaign on track by capturing her nation’s first gold medal of the tournament.

In her fifth Games, Jacobellis finished ahead of Chloe Trespeuch of France and Canada’s Meryeta Odine to win the women’s snowboard cross final.

The euphoric moment not only tallies USA’s first gold medal in Beijing, but the rider’s first of her career.

Despite having a decorated career on the slopes, Jacobellis had been continuously chasing an illustrious Olympic gold for years.

She had a debut to remember at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin by claiming silver in the snowboard cross event. She was on course to take the title, but a mistake at the very last moment cost her the gold.

After obliterating the course, Jacobellis celebrated on the penultimate jump by attempting a method grab, but did not stick the landing.

Her fall cost her a gold gong at her first ever Olympics, and she ultimately finished behind Switzerland’s Tanja Frieden on the podium.

The most amazing story of the Olympic Games yet. Lindsey Jacobellis wins women’s snowboard cross gold. First USA