Jones whips up snow storm and historic bronze
SNOWBOARDER Jenny Jones wept tears of joy after her unlikely triumph on the slopes of Sochi yesterday saw her become Great Britain’s first ever medallist on snow at the Winter Olympics.
Jones – at 33, six years older than any of her fellow finalists – claimed bronze in the slopestyle event with two brilliant descents of the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park course. The historic triumph capped a remarkable journey for the Bristolian, who only returned to action last month following concussion.
“I did the best run I could have done,” said Jones, who broke down on seeing her parents.
“I feel absolutely ecstatic, I’m so chuffed to have made it onto that podium. It feels ridiculous, I still can’t actually believe it.”
Britain has enjoyed 22 medals in Winter Olympics events that take place on ice, such as figure skating and curling, but this was the first to come on snow in 90 years of the competition.
Three-time Winter X Games champion Jones had to work in a factory, a doughnut shop and as a chalet maid to make ends meet early in her career.
Slopestyle snowboarding was only added to the Olympic programme two years ago, and the Englishwoman then had to overcome a recent head injury before taking her place at Sochi.