Kaitlyn Farrington couldn’t believe that she had emerged as the new Olympic women’s snowboard halfpipe champion.
One wonders if many of those who observed Wednesday’s final felt the same way after the Idaho native narrowly won the gold over Vancouver halfpipe winner Torah Bright of Australia.
Farrington had posted the best semifinal score to advance into the main event and she had been considered a medal contender going into Sochi.
VIDEO: Meet Kaitlyn Farrington, America’s new sweetheart
But the prospect of beating all three former Olympic gold medalists in the final - Bright plus two of Farrington’s own teammates, Kelly Clark (2002) and Hannah Teter (2006) - seemed low.
Instead, Farrington sprang a surprise.
“I was hoping to make the finals, that was my main goal,” Farrington said afterwards. “And then during finals, I thought if I land a good run, I might be on the podium. So to come out on top–I just can’t believe it.
“I can’t believe I was sitting there in front of the last three gold medalists. It’s crazy. Snowboarding is changing so much. It’s anybody’s game on any day.”
VIDEO: How did they pull off their halfpipe tricks?
Bright was almost able to defend her crown despite a fall on her first run. Her second run earned her a strong 91.50, but that was just a quarter of a point shy of Farrington’s best, a 91.75 on her own second run.
“It was perhaps one of the hardest events I’ve ridden in, in a long time,” said Bright. “It was just really challenging. I’m just so happy the night’s over really and that I was able to put down a run.”
Then there was Clark, who showed the determination that’s made her the most decorated snowboarder in history.
On her first run, she had slammed onto the ledge of the pipe and then fell into it. That put the pressure firmly on her as she went out on the last run of the competition.
But the ’02 Salt Lake winner still went right for Farrington and Bright, breaking out a 1080 as part of a clean trip through.
VIDEO: Farrington a refreshing winner
It wasn’t enough for gold as the judges gave her a 90.75, but it allowed her to go past Teter and earn the bronze - her third Olympic medal in four tries.
“If I didn’t win, I’m glad someone from the U.S. did, because we’re going to get to see our flag raised and hear our national anthem,” Clark said.
All in all, a fun night at Rosa Khutor.