Ted Ligety wins Olympic gold in giant slalom

U.S. skier Ted Ligety took first place and the Olympic gold medal on Wednesday in the giant slalom.

The Associated Press reported that Ligety became the first American man to win two Olympic gold medals in Alpine skiing. He also won the gold in the combined event at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.

The New York Times noted that the 29-year-old won this race with a total time of 2 minutes, 45.29 seconds. Two Frenchmen, Steve Missillier and Alexis Pinturault, finished behind him to take the silver and bronze medals.

The Alpine ski racer’s win 8 years ago was a surprise. This year, however, Ligety, a four-time World Cup champion, was expected to win.

“To be able to throw it down in the event I had the most pressure in, and the event I was the favorite in -- to be able to do that is awesome," he said. "This was really the event that I wanted to win. ... I know where I stand in giant slalom."

Where he stood was atop the podium.