Alex Gough wins historic bronze for Canada at 2018 Winter Olympics

Alex Gough (Steffen Probdorf, Wikimedia Commons)

Alex Gough of Calgary, Alberta won a memorable bronze medal in women’s luge on Tuesday at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. She becomes the first Canadian in history to win an Olympic medal in luge.

Gough posted a four-run time of 3:05.644. She was .069 seconds faster than Tatjana Huefner of Germany.

Natalie Geisenberger of Germany won the gold medal with a time of 3:05.232. Dajana Eitberger of Germany won the silver medal with a time of 3:05.599.

After Gough’s final run, the Canadian showed signs of disappointment. She was in second place with two lugers to go. However Huefner did not have a clean fourth run, meaning that Gough was able to reach the Olympic podium. Once it was known Gough won Olympic bronze, the entire Canadian luge team celebrated with passion. This was Gough’s final major race as a luger and the 30 year old is now an Olympic medalist.

Team Canada now has a legitimate second opportunity for an Olympic medal in luge in the mixed relay competition. That will take place on Thursday.

With Gough’s medal, Canada is in third place in the overall medal standings. At 10 medals, they have three gold medals, four silver medals and three bronze medals. Norway leads with three gold medals, five silver medals and three bronze medals for 11 medals and the Netherlands are in second with four gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals. It should be noted that Canada’s medals have been spread out across all sports, while Netherlands’s medals have been limited to speed skating.

 

 

 

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