Silver medallist Lucia Georgalli celebrates on the podium following the Snowboard Women's Slopestyle at the Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort on 24 January, 2024. Photo: ANOC Olympic / Jonathan Nackstrand for OIS/IOC
Wānaka snowboarder Lucia Georgalli has won silver at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea.
Competing in snowboard slopestyle, Georgalli, the Snowboard Slopestyle Junior World Champion, was solid through her morning runs to qualify third for the final.
With temperatures dropping to around -14C for the final, conditions became tricky as the course iced over.
The 17-year-old was unable to land her first two runs, leaving her just one final run to put down a score.
"I was pretty nervous but I just took a deep breath and thought it is what it is, and dropped in," Georgalli said.
"I was really happy to land that run. It was challenging, really icy and bumpy.
"I'm stoked to be here, really happy that I got second and represented my country well at the Youth Olympics."
Lucia Georgalli NZL in action during the Snowboard Women's Slopestyle Qualification at the Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort on 24 January, 2024. Photo: ANOC Olympic / Joel Marklund for OIS/IOC
It is New Zealand's first snowboard medal at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Austria's Hanna Karrer won gold and Vanessa Volopichova from the Czech Republic won bronze.
New Zealand's Ava Beer also made the slopestyle final, following a solid performance in qualification. She finished 10th.
