SKI JUMPING: After a 90 year wait to join the men’s event in Olympic competition, the first women’s Ski Jump gold has been won.

German Carina Vogt had never won a World Cup event, but she now has Olympic gold with a win in the women’s normal hill individual event.

The event was introduced for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Vogt beat out favourites, US competitor Sarah Hendrickson and Japanese 17-year-old Sara Takanashi to claim top podium position on Tuesday at RusSki Gorki Jumping Centre.

Vogt is only the fourth gold medallist for Germany in ski jumping.

It was a belated birthday present for Vogt, turning 22 years old last week.

She said the win was unexpected.  

“I wouldn't have thought it was possible three hours ago,” she said.

"It's amazing, I'm the first woman champion in ski jumping.

"I don't quite understand how this has happened. It was just amazing. I haven't been in first place much and it's a surprise that I won now."

The win left Voigt struggling for words. 
"I don't remember what my teammates said, but they were just very happy for me. My trainer is as speechless as I am,” she said. 
"I'm just speechless because training yesterday was not so good. Now I've improved today. I've not won a world cup till now. It's unbelievable. I wouldn't have imagined that one day before."

Adding Olympic silver to her 2011 World Title, Austrian Daniela Iraschko-Stolz finished in second.

She won Austria's 24th Olympic medal in ski jumping. Only Norway has more, with 30.

Claiming bronze behind Vogt and Iraschko-Stolz was French athlete Coline Mattel who won France's first Olympic medal in all ski jumping events.

At the age of 18 years and 100 days, Mattel is France's second youngest medal winner at the Olympic Winter Games.