Adam Hall Realizes Dream of Gold



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Comment Share Posted on Tuesday March 16th at 4:31 p.m.

Wanaka-based and Outram-raised Adam Hall's long-held dream of winning gold became a reality today at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games, despite taking a tumble a third of the way down the course and looking like the medal had passed him by.

Rather than excitement at the bottom of his second run, Hall looked distraught thinking that the fall had cost him gold. When he saw his name flash up in the gold medal position his devastation turned to disbelief and elation.

In the second run, Adam slid onto his side in a steep section but slip through the gate and such was his time gap on the field he was able to recover and still win with a total elapsed time of 1:45.40

German Gerad Schonfelder was 0.57 of a second further back for the silver medal and Australian Cameron Rahles-Rahbula took the bronze.

<&rt;1/5 Photos

  • Adam Hall on Course in his signature event the Men's Slalom Standing.  Photo: Getty Images Sport Adam Hall on Course in his signature event the Men's Slalom Standing. Photo: Getty Images Sport
  • Proud Mum Gail at the finish.  Breathing again after holding her breath during Adams second run.  Photo: Getty Images Sport Proud Mum Gail at the finish. Breathing again after holding her breath during Adams second run. Photo: Getty Images Sport
  • Men's Slalom Standing l-r:  2nd Gerd SCHONFELDER (Germany), 1st Adam HALL (NZ), 3rd  Cameron RAHLES-RAHBULA (Australia).  Photo Getty Images Sport Men's Slalom Standing l-r: 2nd Gerd SCHONFELDER (Germany), 1st Adam HALL (NZ), 3rd Cameron RAHLES-RAHBULA (Australia). Photo Getty Images Sport
  • Adam watches proudly as the New Zealand flag is raised at the medal ceremony. Adam watches proudly as the New Zealand flag is raised at the medal ceremony. Sky Sport
  • Adam's savouring is moment. Adam's savouring is moment. Sky Sport

Jon Turnbull, Chef de Mission, described Hall's gold medal performance as "mind-blowing."
"It got a bit sketchy on his second run but fortunately his first run was enough to make it happen. It's just fantastic."

Turnbull is pleased with how Hall has handled the pressure of being one of the top athletes and the expectations that go along with being one of the race favourites.

"He's the ultimate professional with his preparation and he has been rewarded."

Hall had said after the first run he was not getting carried away, despite his excellent first effort.
"It was good. The conditions have been really tough, mentally and physically," he said.

"It's a two-run race. It's not just one race, so after the first run it doesn't mean anything."

It's hard to imagine the joy one would go through as a parent watching your child, who wasn't expected to walk, take Gold in Ski Racing. Adam's parents are bursting with pride.

"All his hard work has paid off," said his mother Gayle. "We are so proud!"

New Zealand last won a medal at a Paralympics Winter Games in 2002 at Salt Lake City.

Click Here for Full Results


Link to See Adams Second Run on Sky Sport

Link to See The Medal Ceremony on Sky Sport

 

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