SNOWBOARD: It’s been a fairytale Olympics for Russian couple Vic Wild and Alena Zavarzina, winning gold and bronze medals minutes apart.

Wild granted Russia its first snowboarding gold with a win in the Parallel Giant Slalom, while Zavarzina claimed bronze in the women’s version of the same event on Day 12 of the Sochi Olympics.

Wild beat Nevin Galmarini of Switzerland in the final head-to-head run at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park to finish first, with Slovenia’s Zan Kosir claiming bronze.

In the women’s event, pre-race favourite Switzerland’s Patrizia Kummers and Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan won gold and silver respectively after battling in the big final.

Zavarzina won bronze after competing in the small final and said it was even more special because of Wild’s win.

"It's the first time we are the winners together,” she said.

"It's the craziest day of my life."

Even surgery on a broken arm in January couldn’t stop the 24-year-old from a podium finish.

"I did all I could - here is my broken arm and it is moving,” she said.

Watching Wild after her flower ceremony, Zavarzina managed to contain her nerves.

"Whatever he gets today is worth gold for me,” she said before Wild set off for his final run.  

"He has had the most incredible journey. He deserves it more than anyone."

Wild was born in the United States and only become a Russian citizen three years ago after marrying Zavarzina.

The 28-year-old said he was thankful to his adopted country.

"I want to thank Russia for giving me the opportunity to win a gold medal. I am so happy Russia gave me an opportunity to compete in snowboarding in the Olympics. Russia has supported me so much during recent years,” Wild said.

"I put in so much over the last two years and I'm just so stoked, people have been so super-stoked for us. I easily could have taken bronze today."

Wild was left almost speechless by the cheering, predominantly Russian crowd.

"The last run I had to give everything I had for them,” he said.

"It is incredible, man. Right now, it is hard to put into words. I am euphoric. It's an incredible day. I have put so much into the sport since I was seven-years-old.

"My wife and I won medals. You can't ask for more."