Simon Ammann won the first gold medal of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, setting a hill record with his second jump to strike.

The 28-year old World Cup leader gave himself a 2.5 point cushion after the first round of the normal hill competition at the Whistler Olympic Park before extending it to 7 with his second jump.

Eight years ago, the Swiss jumper scooped normal and large hill gold in Salt Lake City and was joint favorite with Austrian youngster Gregor Schlierenzauer coming into his fourth Games.

“I have no words to describe the situation,” said Ammann. “It’s crazy, I tried so hard and I focused so much on my competitors here. But everyone here is at their best.”

“It’s my third gold medal. This is insane,” he added. “It is difficult to tell in words how I feel. It was almost too intense, the moment of victory.”

(article and photo source: www.morethanthegames.co.uk)