Freestyle (Aerials): Australia's Lassila wins women's aerials

Vancouver (AFP) - Lydia Lassila held off a powerful Chinese challenge to win the women's aerials on Wednesday to notch Australia's second gold of the Vancouver Olympics.

Lassila, in second place after her first jump, scored a combined total of 214.74 in her two jumps, finishing ahead of China's Li Nina, who took silver with a total of 207.23 and bronze medallist Guo Xinxin, who scored 205.22.

"This is something that I've dreamed about at home since as far back as I can remember," said Lassila.

"I know China are a strong team but when I jump my best, I know that will be good enough. Everything worked out."

Lassila said her victory was even more special as she had battled back from a series of injury problems.

"I never backed down. I crossed my 'T's and dotted my 'I's, I've had my ups and downs, fought through and believed," she said.

"This is what I worked my whole life for. It's here now. I never lost sight of what I could do and what I can do is this: triple somersaults."

The Chinese, led by Turin silver medallist Li, had been highly fancied to win the event and even perform a podium clean sweep. They currently dominate the World Cup points table, filling five of the top six berths.

But Lassila, the only non-Chinese in the top six, at number four in the standings, wowed the judges, moving into the gold medal position with just China's Xu Mengtao to jump. Xu fell on landing to finish sixth.

Lassila, who won the World Cup last year, came into these Games in top form having set a women's world record two-jump score of 220.91 at Deer Valley, United States, on January 22.

The competition took place in swirling fog on Vancouver's Mount Cypress

Lassila win caps Australia's best Games
Australia Thursday celebrated its best-ever Winter Olympics following Lydia Lassila's victory in the women's aerials at the Vancouver Games.

It was Australia's third medal in Vancouver following Torah Bright's gold in the women's halfpipe and Dale Begg-Smith's silver in the men's moguls.

It is the first time Australia has won three medals at a Winter Olympics and surpasses the country's previous best of two golds at the 2002 Salt Lake Games when speedskater Steven Bradbury and aerial skier Alisa Camplin stood atop the podium.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led the tributes to Lassila's victory.

"The country's proud of you, it's a really good achievement for Australia," Rudd told parliament as the news hit in the mid-afternoon.

"It lifts the nation's spirits when we see our athletes doing so well abroad and contributing to this being the most successful Winter Olympics that Australia has ever had ... well done, Lydia."

Lassila is a former gymnast who turned to winter sport after being injured in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Summer Games.

Four years ago in Turin Lassila crashed out of the Winter Olympics after rupturing her cruciate ligament in the aerials final.

Australian Sports Minister Kate Ellis praised Lassila for her fighting spirit.

"Lydia Lassila exemplifies the fighting spirit that we as Australians are so proud of," Ellis said in a statement.

"Injury after injury Lydia has got back up and fought on, today reaching her dream of Olympic gold."

All three Australians -- Lassila, Liz Gardiner and four-time Winter Olympian Jacqui -- who competed in the aerials final have been supported by the Australian Institute of Sport for more than a decade.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Freestyle
• Aerials
• Australia
• Lassila
• wins
• women
• aerials
• gold
• vancouver
• 2010
• winter
• olympics
• Lydia

[hyperswivel]

what the hell is this?

You know youtube is for videos, right?

[CJRoachy]

that was fucked