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Show D-6 Wed/Thurs/Fri, February 21-23, 2018 A dream realized Park City freeskier lands bronze medal after a long journey to success TOM KELLY PARK RECORD COLUMNIST Her smile told the story — beaming relentlessly in the glare of the stage lights as she looked out over the thousands gathered in Olympic Plaza. She stared down at her medal with a “pinch me, is this a dream?” look. Eight hours earlier, the 28-year-old freeskier Brita Sigourney stood on the brink of a 22-foot superpipe for her third and final run. Her teammate and friend Annalisa Drew had just moved into bronze medal position, dropping Sigourney to fourth in a see-saw battle. On a day that was her sport’s finest hour, it was now all up to her. It was the drama only the Olympic Games could deliver. Pyeongchang was Sigourney’s second Olympic opportunity. Four years earlier, in her sport’s debut, she was second in qualifying, but sixth in the medals round. “I didn’t realize what I really wanted at the Sochi Olympics,” she recalled. “I was just so happy and grateful to be there. I was in awe.” Four years later, she came to Pyeongchang older and wiser. But the reality of it all still hadn’t hit her. “I didn’t realize how much fire I would have this time around,” she said. “I really wanted it but I don’t think I realized that until I dropped in on my final run and thought: ‘I REALLY want this.’” Desire is born at a young age. Sigourney had that desire. And she also had one of the most essential components PHOTO BY SARAH BRUNSON/U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD Parkite Brita Sigourney drapes herself in an American flag after winning a bronze medal in the women’s halfpipe skiing event at the 2018 Olympics. She says the 2014 Games prepared her for success in Pyeongchang. of athletic success — a loving family with parents Thad and Julie who would pack the four kids in the car in Carmel, California, every weekend to make the five-and-a-half-hour drive to Alpine Meadows at Lake Tahoe. And it was not lost on Sigourney, who broke into tears as she honored her parents in front of fans at USA House. “I was a weekend warrior — that’s all I knew growing up,” said Sigourney, who never lived in a ski town until she moved to Park City six years ago. But Sigourney also had team and pride of sport. Her hugs with Olympic champion Cassie Sharpe from Canada and silver medalist Marie Marod of Canada were heartfelt. Continued on D-7 » SUPPORT UTAH’S OLYMPIC LEGACY WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO At Utah’s world-class Olympic venues, people of all ages and abilities watch, learn and compete in winter sport. The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation’s dedication to these facilities makes that happen! JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP US IN THAT MISSION BY DONATING TODAY! “DR. DINGMAN IS THE BEST.” - TED LIGETY TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST Visit our office to receive a commemorative Winter Games pin! CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! B. John Dingman DMD 4343 N. Hwy 224 Suite 201 Park City www.canyondentistry.com • 435.658.4746 UTAH OLYMPIC PARK PARK CITY, UTAH UTAH OLYMPIC OVAL KEARNS, UTAH SOLDIER HOLLOW NORDIC CENTER MIDWAY, UTAH |