Radamus dripping in gold after second win at Lillehammer 2016

The U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus didn’t rest on his laurels after his Saturday victory in Lillehammer, Norway. In Sunday’s Youth Olympic Games alpine combined, the American charged down the hill yet again to take his second gold medal of the games.

His winning time was 1:52.87, just 0.07 seconds ahead of Austrian Manuel Traninger and 0.78 seconds ahead of Italian Pietro Canzio, who finished in second and third place. Radamus held the lead from the morning’s super G run and was able to hold on for the combined win after the slalom leg as well despite losing a pole ten gates before the finish line.

“I came here with no expectations, and I just wanted to compete,” Radamus said. “I’ve had two really amazing results. I had a really great first run and built up a solid lead, but I knew the competition would be fierce in the slalom. I had a few bobbles, but I was able to eke out the win.”

His coach at the games says that Radamus’ success has a lot to do with his approach.

“He is doing a really good job of just focusing on the task in hand. He is a thinker,” said Chad Wolk. “It’s all a puzzle and he looks to put it all together. Every turn he takes is different. He enjoys the sport more than anybody I have seen in a long time. It’s a game to him and he wants to go out and play.”

The women’s race was dominated by Switzerland. Aline Danioth took the win with a combined time of 1:55.74 while teammate Melanie Meillard took second place, 0.38 seconds of the pace. The podium was rounded out by German Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger, who was 1.51 seconds off of the win.

Lone American female Keely Cashman was 18th in the super G, but failed to finish the slalom race. The competition continues on Tuesday, February 16 with the women’s giant slalom.

Cover photo courtesy of Simon Bruty for YIS/IOC

Official Men’s Results

Official Women’s Results