Lassila brings another gold home to Australia

Lassila brings another gold home to Australia

VANCOUVER: Australia's Lydia Lassila soared through the air on a mountain covered in thick fog and cleanly landed two of the hardest jumps of the day to win Olympic gold in the women's freestyle aerials on Wednesday.

Gold medalist Lydia Lassila of Australia celebrates on the podium after the women's aerials freestyle skiing final on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 24, 2010.

After finishing the first of two jumps in second place, Lassila showed nerves of steel as she launched herself into the air three storeys high and executed a double twisting triple back flip on her second run to secure the gold medal.

"I've dreamt of this my whole life. This has been my lifelong dream," the 28-year-old told reporters.

When asked why she decided to try such a difficult jump on her first effort she said: "Ever since I started in this sport I wanted to jump like a man."

As a rowdy crowd waved Australian flags and thrust inflatable kangaroos in the air, Lassila looked ecstatic as she skied down the hill. After taking off her skis she ran along the fence giving volunteers and spectators high fives before finding a team mate for a long hug.

Gold medalist Lydia Lassila of Australia celebrates in the finish area after her second jump in the women's aerials freestyle skiing final on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 24, 2010.
(Agencies)