**What’s the Story Behind Hannah Teter’s Iconic Gold Medal Win?**
There are moments in sports history that will be talked about for years, if not decades, to come. One such moment is Hannah Teter’s iconic gold medal win at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Teter’s win came with some unexpected twists and turns. Let’s take a closer look at the story behind this incredible victory.
Hannah Teter is a well-known American snowboarder who has been competing at the professional level since the age of 15. She was born in Belmont, Vermont, in 1987, and grew up in a family of eight children. Teter began snowboarding at the age of eight and quickly became passionate about the sport.
Teter’s journey to the 2006 Winter Olympics began at the age of 15 when she won her first X Games gold medal. Her success continued through the years leading up to the Olympics, with multiple X Games medals and a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships.
Teter arrived in Turin as one of the favorites to win the gold medal in the halfpipe event. The halfpipe is a snowboarding event where athletes perform various tricks and maneuvers while navigating a U-shaped snow ramp. Judges evaluate the competitors based on the difficulty and execution of their moves.
Teter’s first run in the halfpipe event was impressive, but it was her second run that left the crowd and judges stunned. Teter started her run with a huge method air, followed by a backside 540, frontside 900, backside 540, and finishing with a perfectly executed frontside 720. Scoring a 44.6 out of 50, Teter was in the lead with only one competitor left to take her final run.
That competitor was Norwegian snowboarder Kjersti Buaas. Buaas had a great first run but fell on her second. She knew that she needed to land a perfect run on her final attempt to beat Teter’s score. Buaas started off strong, but as she was coming out of a 540 spin, her board made contact with the lip of the pipe. She fell hard, ending her chances of taking gold.
Teter’s win was an incredible moment for both her and the United States. She became the first American woman to win gold in the halfpipe event at the Winter Olympics. Teter’s victory was also significant as it came just two years after her brother Abe had passed away from an epileptic seizure. In honor of her brother, Teter wore a necklace made from his snowboarding pass throughout the competition.
Teter has always been known for her philanthropic efforts. After winning the gold medal, she announced that she would be donating half of her winnings to charity. She would later establish her own organization, Hannah’s Gold, which raises money to support environmental, humanitarian, and educational efforts around the world.
In addition to her philanthropy, Teter is also an advocate for healthy living and sustainable agriculture. She founded Sweet Cheeks, a line of organic underwear, in 2011, with a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting farmers and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Teter has since gone on to win additional medals at the X Games and World Championships. She also competed in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, finishing fourth and sixth in the halfpipe event, respectively.
In conclusion, Hannah Teter’s gold medal win at the 2006 Winter Olympics is an unforgettable moment in sports history. Her performance not only made her the first American woman to win gold in the halfpipe event but also served as a reminder of the power of perseverance in the face of tragedy. Teter’s dedication to philanthropy and sustainable agriculture continues to make her an inspiration both on and off the slopes.
**Sources**
“Hannah Teter.” Olympics.com, International Olympic Committee, www.olympic.org/hannah-teter.
“Hannah Teter.” XGames.com, ESPN Internet Ventures, www.xgames.com/athletes/3016029/hannah-teter.
“Hannah Teter.” TeamUSA.org, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, www.teamusa.org/usa-snowboarding/athletes/Hannah-Teter.
“Hannah’s Gold | Making A Difference Through Cause Driven Marketing.” Hannah’s Gold, www.hannahsgold.com/.
“Meet Sweet Cheeks, the Organic Underwear Fighting Global Poverty.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 11 Feb. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2019/02/10/meet-sweet-cheeks-the-organic-underwear-fighting-global-poverty/?sh=3503a8404dc8.
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