LDS snowboarder lands Olympic gold

27 Feb 2010, 12:00 a.m. MST

Torah Bright beams as she displays her 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal. Photo by Associated Press

By Church News Archives

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Torah Bright is a popular fixture on the snowboarding circuit, with a reputation for keeping her standards high.

The Australian athlete reached another high when her performance of flips, turns and precise landings earned her the women's halfpipe gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics hosted by Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Torah Bright of Australia performs on her snowboard. | Photo by Associated Press

A native of Cooma, New South Wales, the 23-year-old snowboarder fell on her first run through the halfpipe in the finals at the Cypress Mountain venue. But on her second run, she was outstanding in recording a score of 45, nearly three points better than her nearest competitor.

Snowboarder Torah Bright soars on her way to victory in the women's halfpipe competition during the 2010 Winter Olympics. | Photo by Associated Press

Torah Bright of Australia celebrates becoming Olympic champion in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. | Photo by Associated Press

Along with raves about her performance, the media also mentioned her values and her upcoming wedding in the Salt Lake Temple.

Torah, who now lives in Salt Lake City, entered the Olympics after a string of bad incidents, including three concussions and a fractured jaw.

But long one of the world's leading snowboarders, she went out and did her best when it counted most in her second Olympics. She finished fifth at the 2006 Winter Olympics.