Ligety Claims First Ever Giant Slalom Gold for USA - East Idaho News
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Ligety Claims First Ever Giant Slalom Gold for USA

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TedLigety?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1392810495447Christophe Pallot/Agence/Getty Images(SOCHI, Russia) — Ted Ligety etched his name in American Olympic lore, winning the gold medal in the Giant Slalom, the first ever for the United States. He becomes just the second ever American to medal in the event and the first since Bode Miller took silver in the 2002 Games.

Ligety dominated the finals with a blazing fast first run that saw him take almost a full second advantage into the second run. Following an opening run of 1:21.08 seconds, the 29-year old used the buffer to safely make it back down the mountain the second time around.

The American’s final run of 1:24.21 seconds was 14th best among all second runs, but his combined time of 2:45.29 beat the closest competitor by almost half a second. France’s Steve Missillier won the silver medal while countryman Alexis Pinturault earned the bronze.

The USA’s Bode Miller placed 20th in the event following a difficult first run. Miller tweaked his surgically repaired knee in the first run and announced after the race that he will not participate in the Men’s Slalom on Saturday. Miller ends his Olympic campaign with six career medals, a US record.

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