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Shelley Osterloh ReportingA Park City skier has won Olympic gold. Until tonight the world hadn't heard of Ted Ligety, but he was on top of the podium as Bode Miller was disqualified.
Ligety is just 21-years old, a Park City native in his first Olympic games. Tonight he is a gold medal champion after winning in the grueling three race event known as the Combined.
Ted Ligety was in 32nd place after the downhill portion of the Combined and medal favorite Bode Miller was in the lead. But Miller straddled a gate and was disqualified, while Ligety laid down nearly two perfect slalom runs to win the gold. His teammates seemed as thrilled about his victory as he was.
Scott McCartney, US Olympic Skier: "He killed it. I'm so impressed with his run, especially at the bottom, he pulled a lot of time on people."
Steven Nyman, Olympic Skier: "He has yet to win a slalom race, but he can crush anybody. And look for him at the end of Olympics to take that thing down. He's just miles ahead of anybody at this moment."
Bill Ligety, Ted's Dad: "It's just amazing. We never expected this."
Ted Ligety Olympic Gold medalist: "It's hard to really think of it right now. I mean, I don't think it's hit me entirely. But it's a great feeling for sure. I mean, I had two spectacular slalom runs to put myself in this position, so it's just great."
They should be celebrating in Park city and Sestriere tonight. Ligety managed to pull it off even after he started to get sick yesterday. We hope he feels better soon as he still has to compete in his best events: the Slalom and Giant Slalom
This is the fifth medal won by the US Ski and Snowboard team.
