ADVERTISEMENT

Take it as Red: Teen makes history as wind pummels

Red Gerard, born on June 29, 2000, celebrated a storming win in slopestyle, which also made him the second youngest individual winner in Games history.

"I'm super-psyched!" said Gerard, adding: "I cannot believe it. I'm shaking right now, maybe from the cold or the excitement, I don't know. But I'm ecstatic. I can't believe it."

Slopestyle was one of the events that did not fall victim to high winds on Sunday, when the showpiece men's downhill skiing was aborted until Thursday following a pre-dawn meeting of ski chiefs.

Later, as the gusts continued to swirl around Pyeongchang, the women's slopestyle qualification was scrapped with the competitors all going straight into Monday's final.

ADVERTISEMENT

A day of extremes started with a surprise earthquake alert, after a 4.7-magnitude quake rattled eastern South Korea, with its epicentre about 260 kilometres (160 miles) from the Games.

South Korea isn't known for deadly earthquakes, but organisers gave assurances that the Olympic venues had been built to stand up to a major tremor.

"All the facilities in the Games area are built so they can withstand strong earthquakes over 7.0... so I assure you there was no issue regarding these facilities," said Sung Baik-you, spokesman for the Pyeongchang organisers.

From near-death to podium

The severe chill which has made Pyeongchang one of the coldest Games in history was set to worsen, with temperatures forecast to plunge to -14 degrees Celsius (7 Fahrenheit) on Monday -- with a real-feel of -25C.

ADVERTISEMENT

"People are advised to dress warmly and wear hats and gloves to keep themselves warm," warned Sung.

On the second day of full competition, Simen Hegstad Krueger led a Norwegian sweep in the men's skiathlon after recovering from an early fall and breaking a pole.

"It is an indescribable feeling," Krueger said. "It is an amazing day but it started in the worst way with the fall after the first 100 metres and a broken pole.

"I was completely last in the group so I had to start the race again and switch focus to catch up with the guys. When I did it I was, 'OK, take one lap, two laps, three laps and just get into it again, and try to do it on the final lap'."

Dutchman Sven Kramer roared to a third straight Olympic title in the men's 5,000m speed skating, and Germany's Arnd Peiffer upstaged French hope Martin Fourcade to win the men's 10km sprint biathlon.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the slopestyle, Canada's Mark McMorris staked an early claim for the most inspirational story of the Games after taking bronze -- just 11 months after a near-fatal crash.

In a snowboarding accident last year, McMorris broke 17 bones and suffered a collapsed lung and ruptured spleen, leaving him fighting for his life.

"I don't want to think too much about the past today, but I appreciate the fact I'm here on my snowboard," he smiled.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT