Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann has won his second gold medal of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and in the process rewrote the history books after winning the men’s long hill event today at Whistler Olympic Park.

Ammann set a new record for the longest jump as well as becoming the first man to win four individual Olympic titles in ski jumping.

Ammann, who won the first gold medal of the Games in the men’s normal hill on the second day of competition, produced a total of 283.6 over two jumps to finish 14.2 points clear of the field.

In an exact replica of the finishing order from the normal hill event, Poland’s Adam Malysz claimed the silver medal, while Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer won the bronze.

Ammann’s first jump rocketed him into the record books as his 144 metre clearance smashed the old record by three metres, taking him to a commanding 6.6 point lead over his Polish rival.

It would have taken a major error by the Swiss master on his second jump to miss out on gold and he didn’t disappoint as he landed a 138 metre jump to clinch his fourth Olympic title. Ammann had also completed the Olympic double in ski jumping at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games.

Ammann said his nerves almost got the better of him.

“‘What can I say? I was so nervous up there,” Ammann said. “This is all very nerve-wracking.

“I always have this magical force to jump far here and that is amazing. This is truly amazing.”

David Polglase
AOC - Vancouver