USA came from behind to win gold in the mixed team Snowboard Cross in dramatic style this morning.
Veteran Nick Baumgartner and Lindsey Jacobellis both had to use all their experience and skill to gain ground in this roller-coaster race of jumps and turns.
Baumgartner, 40, and Jacobellis, 36, were by far the oldest team competing in this most entertaining of snowboard events.
But their insatiable hunger for victory saw them slide past younger, but hugely talented rivals from Italy and Canada.
And the pair – whose combined age is 76 – could not hide their joy when they won gold as snowflakes fell on the Genting Snow Park at Beijing 2022 this morning.
United States’ Nick Baumgartner and United States’ Lindsey Jacobellis share a hug after winning a gold medal in the mixed team snowboard cross finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday in Zhangjiakou, China
Jacobellis (left) and Baumgartner take to the podium at the Genting Snow Park P & X Stadium in China after winning gold
United States’ Jacobellis leads the pack, followed by Italy’s Michela Moioli (right), compete during the mixed team snowboard cross finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday
Baumgartner (green bib) crosses finish line on in the final of the Mixed Team Snowboard Cross
The pair – whose combined age is 76 – could not hide their joy when they won gold as snowflakes fell on the Genting Snow Park at Beijing 2022 this morning
Baumgartner and Lindsey Jacobellis both had to use all their experience and skill to gain ground in this roller-coaster race of jumps and turns. The pair hold up a flag as they pose by fans
The Team USA pair share hugs with supporters after winning gold at the Snowboard Cross event
Baumgartner, from Michigan, is the oldest athlete to an Olympic medal in any snowboard event and Jacobellis, from California, is the second oldest. She had already won gold in the women’s snowboard cross earlier this week.
Italy’s Omar Visintin and Michela Moioli took the silver medal and Eliot Grondin and Meryeta Odine from Canada won bronze.
After the race, Baumgartner said their victory should be an inspiration to everyone – no matter how old – not to give up on their dreams.
He said: ‘It is never too late to take what you want from life and follow your dreams.
‘You let yourself down if you quit too early. It doesn’t matter how old you are.’
Baumgartner (green bib) final jump to win Mixed Team Snowboard Cross at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Baumgartner, 40, and Jacobellis, 36, were by far the oldest team competing in this most entertaining of snowboard events. But their insatiable hunger for victory saw them slide past younger, but hugely talented rivals from Italy and Canada
Baumgartner, from Michigan, is the oldest athlete to an Olympic medal in any snowboard event and Jacobellis (right) from California, is the second oldest. She had already won gold in the women’s snowboard cross earlier this week.
Italy’s Omar Visintin and Michela Moioli (pictured in blue and red, behind Jacobellis in green) took the silver medal and Eliot Grondin and Meryeta Odine from Canada won bronze
United States’ Lindsey Jacobellis crosses the finish line ahead of Italy’s Omar Visintin to win a gold medal in the mixed team snowboard cross finals
‘Our success at our age is a perfect example of that. I know we both hope our stories can inspire other people to go out there.
‘You get one shot at life. Live the life you want and don’t let anyone stop you no matter how old you are. Hard work is the answer.
Jacobellis added: ‘It’s also the internal fire and believing in yourself, whether you are trying to win a gold medal or improving your day to day life.
The 36-year-old joked that the pair were ’80’s babies’ .
Baumgartner said their age and experience had helped the pair with the change of racing conditions after it began to snow.
He said: ‘That’s something about being the veterans … we’ve had so many heats under our belt that we have to ride so close to people, and in conditions like this.
‘That doesn’t scare us because we’ve done it so many times.’
Baumgartner said their age and experience had helped the pair with the change of racing conditions after it began to snow. He said: ‘That’s something about being the veterans … we’ve had so many heats under our belt that we have to ride so close to people, and in conditions like this’
Jacobellis and Baumgartner speak at a press conference after they win Mixed Team Snowboard Cross after Team USA won gold
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