Though snowboarding at the Olympics is known predominantly throughout the United States by the red-headed superstar, Shaun White, this year, more light has been shed on the daring sport. The introduction of Slopestyle this year on the Olympic stage, along with the fast-paced snowboard cross has increased the country’s awareness for snowboarding in general.
The sport was popularized in the late 1990s because of its declaration as an Olympic sport for the 1998 Nagano Olympics. What once was limited to only two events (the Giant Slalom and the Halfpipe) is now one of the most watched Olympic events, featuring five events each for women and men.
This year, the Americans have dominated the bold sporting event with a total of 5 medals, the most of any country. Freestyle snowboarding has been the strong suit these games with three gold medals scattered among the different events. Two of these Olympic gold medals happen to be in the event of Slopestyle, a new addition to the Games, proving to be a historic victory for the young Americans.
In Slopestyle, an event that consists of combining personal style, agility, and gravity-defying skill, Jamie Anderson and Sage Kotsenburg stole the golds from the favored Canadians. The first time Olympians were able to set the tone for the rest of the snowboarding to come at Sochi.
This proved true in the Halfpipe competition, a highly anticipated event. Although the popular and favored American, Shaun White, failed to get on the podium in men’s Halfpipe, they soared in women’s. Kaitlyn Farrington and Kelly Clark received gold and bronze respectively, showing the world that the United States rules in freestyle competitions.
The final validation of U.S. dominance came in men’s Snowboard Cross. Favored woman, Lindsey Jacobellis, had a disappointing Olympics when she failed to even qualify for the final. However, even though he wasn’t even supposed to place, Alex Diebold grabbed the bronze. His story of persistence and determination rose above even America’s top boarders, Nate Holland and Taylor Jacob.
The five medals won by the United States at Sochi 2014 confirm that the U.S. is still on top when it comes to snowboarding. Though there were disappointments and shortcomings, at the end of the Games, American gusto prevailed. As we sat at the edges of our seats in awe and anxiety, we were, once again, able to rest assured that in the sport of failure and uncertainty, America found a way.