Brita Sigourney put years of medical misery behind her on Tuesday to claim an Olympic medal.
The Californian won bronze in the women’s ski halfpipe event with her final attempt.
Languishing outside the medal positions she launched herself into a medal winning run of 91.60.
Brita Sigourney put years of medical misery behind her on Tuesday to win a bronze medal
The Californian won bronze in the women’s ski halfpipe event with her final attempt
It was a reward to an athlete who refused to give up despite breaking her knee twice, busting her pelvis, suffering a hand injury, and breaking her collar bone.
The 28-year-old from Carmel, who lists her parents as her biggest influences, wanted to thank them for the sacrifices they made in supporting her.
From the age of three, they would take her on a five hour drive from their home to Lake Tahoe and the slopes.
Her motto was: ‘It’s ok to scare yourself and failing is a part of the learning experience. If you really want to get to the top – there’s no reason why you can’t.’
Languishing outside the medal positions she launched herself into a medal winning run of 91.60
Brita, standing beside the gold and silver medals winners said: ‘I’m so proud to be part of this group with these two girls (Cassie Sharpe of Canada and Marie Martinod of France).
‘It was an inspiring competition and I’m stoked to be with them because they just laid down the best runs I’ve ever seen on the halfpipe.’
She paid tribute to the Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke who died in 2012 after crashing during a training run and how she had been inspired by her.
‘I was in the USA when Sarah was the dominant figure in the sport.
‘It was super inspirational to catch her last few years of skiing.
‘I came second to her in my first X Games (the extreme sports event), which was probably cooler for me than winning.
‘And Cassie (Sharpe) has come up in my career as well. It’s been really cool to see how she’s progressed over the last few years.’
It was a reward to an athlete who refused to give up despite breaking her knee twice, busting her pelvis, suffering a hand injury, and breaking her collar bone
Sigourney (right) celebrates on the podium with gold winner Cassie Sharpe of Canada (center) and Marie Martinod of France, her daughter Melirose (left)
Sigourney flies through the air in her final at the Phoenix Park in Pyeongchang
Sigourney can’t wipe the smile off her face as she looks up to see her score after her run
The 28-year-old from Carmel (pictured as a child), who lists her parents as her biggest influences, wanted to thank them for the sacrifices they made in supporting her