CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Janine Flock achieved a historic victory by winning the gold medal in women’s skeleton at the Milan Cortina Games. The Austrian athlete, who had previously competed in 16 Olympic and world championship events without a medal, completed four runs in a remarkable time of 3 minutes, 49.02 seconds on February 10, 2024. This triumph marks a significant milestone in her long career.
Flock, aged 36, secured her first Olympic medal after three previous attempts. She successfully held off strong competition from Germany’s Susanne Kreher, who finished in second place with a time of 3:49.32, and her compatriot Jacqueline Pfeifer, who took bronze with a time of 3:49.46. The victory was particularly sweet for Flock, who had previously finished fourth in 2018, ninth in 2014, and tenth in 2022.
Upon completing her final run, Flock was presented with an Austrian flag, which she proudly waved as she celebrated her accomplishment. The emotional moment was the culmination of nearly two decades of dedication to the sport, as Flock has also been a three-time World Cup overall champion, with 15 World Cup race wins and 45 World Cup medals to her name.
Flock entered the final two runs with a narrow lead of just 0.04 seconds over Kreher. This required her to set the pace in the third heat, where she initially struggled but managed to maintain her advantage. Kreher briefly led during her run but ultimately finished 0.21 seconds behind Flock, unable to recover from a series of mistakes.
The pressure was palpable, as Flock was acutely aware of her previous Olympic experience. In 2018, she led the competition only to finish fourth after a disappointing final run. This time, however, her performance was markedly different. Despite not being the fastest starter, Flock demonstrated her exceptional driving skills, regaining speed as she navigated the final curves of the track.
Flock’s final margin of victory was substantial, exceeding 0.30 seconds, which reflects her superior control and technique throughout the competition. No other competitor could match her performance on the track, solidifying her place as the women’s skeleton Olympic champion.
In addition to Flock’s success, American athletes also participated, with Kelly Curtis finishing in 12th place with a time of 3:52.13, while teammate Mystique Ro secured 15th with 3:52.48. Flock’s remarkable journey from a medal-less competitor to Olympic champion serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
