Snowboarding
After securing a downhill win on skis, the Czech history-maker showcased her talent by switching to the snowboard and claiming victory in the giant slalom.
The snapshot:
Having only just returned to snowboarding after a stint on the FIS World Cup skiing circuit, Ester Ledecká made the transition look simple. In just her second event of the 2019-20 season, she carved her way to victory in the snowboard FIS World Cup parallel giant slalom in Rogla, Slovenia.
The big picture:
Introduced to the slopes at the age of four, Ledecká started out on skis before quickly developing an affection for snowboarding. Showing a natural talent for both disciplines, she began competing at youth level in both sports before concentrating on snowboarding as she entered the senior ranks.
Despite enjoying success and becoming just the third Czech to win any World Cup snowboarding event, Ledecká entered the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in February 2016, finishing 24th in her first race. She had to face a double load of competition but began to produce a number of world-class alpine skiing performances anyway.
The history maker:
At the 2018 Winter Games, Ledecká became just the second woman to win gold in two separate disciplines and the first to do so at the same Games.
Ranked 49th in the super-G in alpine skiing prior to South Korea, the Prague-native would cause a historic upset as she claimed gold, finishing just 0.01 seconds ahead of 2014 Winter Games defending gold medalist Anna Veith.
She would then dominate on her snowboard as she claimed another gold medal, this time in the parallel giant slalom. To mark the incredible achievement, Ledecká was chosen as the flag bearer for the Czech Republic at the closing ceremony.
Many coaches would say you can never do both at a higher level or World Cup -- you have to choose. I proved them wrong
The raw talent:
Having started the 2019-20 season on skis and claimed a superb downhill win at Lake Louise, the then 24-year-old would showcase her immense talent by returning to the snowboard and immediately claiming second in the Bad Gastein FIS World Cup parallel slalom behind Ramona Theresia Hofmeister.
In the very next race Ledecká would gain revenge, forcing Hofmeister into a mistake and ending her run of four straight victories.
