February 12, 2014
It was the first and also the only time in Olympic Winter Games history that two athletes have shared gold.
The pair in question – Dominique Gisin and Tina Maze – clocked an average speed of 59.75mph on the 1.69mile downhill course at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort at Sochi 2014. But not even the tiniest of margins could separate them
Switzerland’s Gisin looked set for victory in Russia when she moved into the lead by registering a time of one minute 41.57 seconds, which Lara Gut, who took the bronze, came within a tenth of a second of beating in a nail-bitingly close contest.
But the 21st woman down the hill on the day, Maze, somewhat remarkably stopped the clock in exactly the same time as Gisin. As a result, the decision was taken to give the pair a gold medal each.
Wow, what a day!! Dominique Gisin and Tina Maze win first double Olympic gold medals in alpine skiing history! pic.twitter.com/l4qiOsznmw
— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) February 12, 2014
Maze’s win meant a first ever Olympic gold for her nation, Slovenia.
After her historic result, Maze said: “I have no words. This doesn’t feel real. I have been dreaming about this since I was little. The first ski race I ever won in my life was a downhill so before I went down the track today I said to myself ‘this has to be it, I can do it,” and I just went for it.”
“I have no words. This doesn’t feel real. I have been dreaming about this since I was little.”
Tina Maze
Meanwhile, Gisin added: “This is incredible. I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am so happy, what a day. I don’t think I even dreamt about this. Now that I have won, I am living the dream but this is better than dreaming.”
The Swiss also professed her delight at celebrating at the foot of the mountain with gold with Maze.
“I’m sure glad I’m going to share this gold with Tina,” she said. “She’s such a great woman and one of the greatest athletes of our sport.”
