ozmotorsport
24th of March 2010 (Wed), 08:00
New Zealand paralympic skier Adam Hall is "wordless" after recovering from a fall to win gold in the standup slalom at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.
Hall blitzed the field at Whistler Creekside in 50.95 seconds on his first run, 2.13 seconds faster than the next competitor.
He sealed gold in his second run, but looked devastated when he thought his fall had cost him gold.
He scrambled up to finish the run, then looked disbelieving when the results board showed he had won the gold.
"I can't explain it, I'm wordless. It's been a 15 year dream to come here and win a gold medal. To come here and do it is unbelievable,'' Hall said.
He had earlier declared a belief that he could win in Vancouver.
''All you think about is a gold medal you don’t come here to come second. To do that is unbelievable.
"I've always wanted to go to the Paralympics and win a gold medal."
He said he was determined not to let his tumble affect his finish.
''I had such a good huge advantage in my first run. When I fell, I just got up ... I didn’t think about where I’d end up. It was just get back up on the horse and leave everything I could up there and cross the finish line. To see my name and my country on top of the scoreboard is unbelievable and emotional as well.
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/images/adamhall03.jpg
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/images/adamhall02.jpg
Full gallery here
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/ (http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall)
Hall blitzed the field at Whistler Creekside in 50.95 seconds on his first run, 2.13 seconds faster than the next competitor.
He sealed gold in his second run, but looked devastated when he thought his fall had cost him gold.
He scrambled up to finish the run, then looked disbelieving when the results board showed he had won the gold.
"I can't explain it, I'm wordless. It's been a 15 year dream to come here and win a gold medal. To come here and do it is unbelievable,'' Hall said.
He had earlier declared a belief that he could win in Vancouver.
''All you think about is a gold medal you don’t come here to come second. To do that is unbelievable.
"I've always wanted to go to the Paralympics and win a gold medal."
He said he was determined not to let his tumble affect his finish.
''I had such a good huge advantage in my first run. When I fell, I just got up ... I didn’t think about where I’d end up. It was just get back up on the horse and leave everything I could up there and cross the finish line. To see my name and my country on top of the scoreboard is unbelievable and emotional as well.
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/images/adamhall03.jpg
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/images/adamhall02.jpg
Full gallery here
http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall/ (http://www.chrisdobie.com/cd/webparalympics/adamhall)