Updated:2008-07-09 16:58 | Source:beijing2008.cn
12 February 1998: Nicola THOST of Germany, gold
medallist in the women's halfpipe snowboard event
at the XVIII Winter Olympic Games in Nagano.
Credit: Getty Images/Nathan Bilow
Born: 3 May 1977
Birthplace: Pforzheim (Germany)
Nationality: Germany
Sport: Skiing
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Nagano 1998
Salt Lake City 2002
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 1
First Women's Halfpipe Champion
Nicola Thost participated in gymnastics and skiing before switching to snowboarding at the age of thirteen. At the inaugural Olympic snowboarding competition in 1998, she was in second place after the first round of the halfpipe final. Known for her "big air," flying high and far, Thost came through with a strong second run to take the gold medal. She returned to the Olympics in 2002 and placed 11th.
(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)