Silver medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott had to contend with a case of nerves in the leadup to the big air snowboarding event today.
"I'm so stoked, I can't believe it," she told 1News sports reporter Michelle Banks of her win.
Her achievement was the result of a clean, backside triple cork 1440 on her second jump, which scored a huge 88.75.
Sadowski-Synnott said nerves contributed to her failing to stick the landing on her first jump, an attempted switch backside 1440 – taking it with "a bit too much speed".
"After that, you know the pressure's kind of off – you have done as bad as you possibly could."
She said she considered pressure a privilege and felt calm going into the final two jumps.
During round three, Sadowski-Synnott moved into first place with a switch backside 1260 earning her 83.50.
"After I got my score, I just ran over to my family and I was sitting in first, but I told them, ‘guys, let's not celebrate too soon', because there was so many amazing snowboarders to come."
Indeed, Kokomo Murase of Japan knocked her out of the gold medal spot.
The 24-year-old Kiwi now has four Winter Olympic medals. (Source: SKY)
Sadowski-Synnott said she was happy for Murase.
“She is an amazing snowboarder, and I’ve been inspired by her for so long.”
The Kiwi snowboarder said she can't wait to show her medal to her family and put it around their necks.
Parents Sean Synnott and Robyn Sadowski said they were "incredibly proud".
Dad Sean said his teeth were just about worn down. He had no idea how his daughter had the mental toughness to come back from the first failed jump.
"It is a special, special thing."
Coach Sean Thompson said it was an intense watch.
“I knew it was going to be a show, I knew everyone was going to go off, and I was confident in Zoi and what she could do.”
After the first 1440 attempt failed, he said his message to Sadowski-Synnott was simple.
“Another one, do it again, get it while it’s hot.”
Thompson said he was especially proud as she had recently come back from a major ankle injury that kept her grounded for much of 2024.
“The week before the X-Games [in January this year] we just got back on snow so to be here now is amazing.”
She now has now won four Olympic medals, with one gold, two silvers and a bronze to her name.
Sadowski-Synnott is set to defend her slopestyle title next week.
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