As New Zealanders flooded social media in adoration and celebration of the country’s first ever Winter Olympic gold medallist, the history-maker herself, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott could only muster three shocked words on her Instagram: “What the fuck.”
Speaking to media following her win, snowboarder Sadowski-Synnott, who was “in complete disbelief”, managed a few more. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “I knew I had to put it down and I knew I had it in me.”
The 20-year-old made history on Sunday by winning New Zealand’s first ever gold medal at a Winter Olympics, capturing the women’s slopestyle title on Sunday morning in smash-and-grab fashion with a dramatic final run that ended the United States’ run of dominance in the discipline.
If you are wondering how Zoi is feeling. She has already uploaded to Instagram. pic.twitter.com/hjRcnDZabN
— Sean Hogan (@SeanHoganNZ) February 6, 2022
Her family, watching from her home town of Wānaka, in New Zealand’s South Island, erupted into tearful jubilation when the results were announced.
Her father, Sean, told Sky Sports, the win was “pretty frickin exciting, and the team of 5 million behind her has just been amazing”. “Thank you all for your support in the run-through into these games, the coverage from press and everything has been fantastic.”
“I’m just ecstatic,” he added. “She pulled it out of the bag. She’s competitive obviously, and was under so much stress I guess after that fall, but she pulled it through.”
Deputy prime minister Grant Robertson, who holds the portfolio for sport and recreation, said he was “so proud of this awesome woman”.
“I had the honour to be there four years ago to see Zoi win bronze. Ever since, she has continually lifted her game to be one of the best snowboarders in the world. Our first ever Winter Olympic gold medal!”
GOLD for ZOI! I had the honour to be there four years ago to see @zoisynnott win bronze. Ever since she has continually lifted her game to be one of the best snowboarders in the world. Our first ever Winter Olympic gold medal! So proud of this awesome woman. Happy Waitangi Day! pic.twitter.com/RC7gdSBown
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) February 6, 2022
The New Zealand Olympic Team’s twitter page also congratulated Sadowski-Synnott and said it was a moment “to cherish forever”. “Could not be more proud right now,” it said.
🥇HISTORY MADE 🥇 Zoi Sadowski-Synnott wins New Zealand’s first ever GOLD medal at an Olympic Winter Games!
— The New Zealand Team (@TheNZTeam) February 6, 2022
Could not be more proud right now 🖤🌿 #EarnTheFern #KoTātauTeKapaOAotearoa pic.twitter.com/mJZY308K9m
Sadowski-Synnott said it was an indescribable feeling to take home gold. Any of the snowboarders could have walked away with the gold, she said, but she was thrilled to have done it for New Zealand.
On being mobbed by her rivals in the finish area following her win, the 20-year-old said: “That was a crazy moment and shows how special snowboarding is. You cheer more when your friends do well than yourself – it’s why I love it.”
The 20-year-old, who became Olympic champion on Waitangi Day, put down the run of her life in the biggest competition of her career to overtake the American Julia Marino, who had taken the lead with her second of three attempts.
Our whānau has watched a few historical sports moments together, this is another collective memory we’ll always share, first Winter Olympics gold.. and on Waitangi Day! Tau kē koe e Zoi @TheNZTeam #Beijing2022 https://t.co/HFEI8iPOKA
— carmenparahi (@ParahiCarmen) February 6, 2022
The gold medal brings New Zealand’s total Winter Olympics medal tally to four, since it first competed in 1952 in Oslo. Sadowski-Synnott can claim half of those, after she and Nico Porteous won bronze medals in PyeongChang.
Skier Annelise Coberger nabbed New Zealand’s first ever medal (silver) in 1992.
Sadowski Synnott will attempt her third medal, and possibly another gold, in the women’s snowboard big air, which starts with qualifying a week on Monday. The final, which Sadowski-Synnott won bronze in four years ago, is on 15 February.
To celebrate Zoi’s gold everyone gets tomorrow off in NZ!
— Phamilton (@Ivykite) February 6, 2022
