The unforgettable moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang Olympics were owned by women. Mikaela sliding effortlessly across the finish line to win gold in the GS, Jesse Diggins and Kikkan Randall collapsing on each-other as America celebrated its first gold in women’s cross-country, and Chloe Kim’s spectacular, youthful energy flying in and out of the pipe on her way to international stardom.
All medal worthy– all memorable– but none… completely legendary
Ester Ledecká winning gold in both ski & snowboard racing was just that– legendary. And while we can talk all day about the other medal events and memories, none will stand the test of time like the Czechoslovakian woman’s back-2-back victory in separate and sometimes conflicting disciplines.
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The significance of the staggering accomplishment was only further augmented by the ironic statement Lindsey Vonn made almost a year prior concerning the benefits of skier/snowboarder segregation. Little did Lindsey know she’d be losing her last Olympic appearance in the Super-G to a knuckle-dragger. For snowboarders with a beef to pick with Vonn, it was a triumphant moment.
But putting the armchair ski-racing opinions and the ever-present internet trolls aside, Ledecká reminded us all what the Olympics are all about– athleticism and competition. Nobody was more athletic or competitive in this games than the Czech rider/skier and for that reason alone, her snowboarding and skiing ways will go down in history. As of the closing ceremonies, she’s the only to win gold in two distinct disciplines at the winter olympics. Legendary indeed.
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