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Special Olympics Gibraltar Wins Gold At World Winter Games Giant Slalom Event

13 March 2025
Special Olympics Gibraltar Wins Gold At World Winter Games Giant Slalom Event

Special Olympics Gibraltar have won their first Gold medal at the World Winter Games in Turin. On Wednesday Samuel Santos came first in his division in the Intermediate Giant Slalom event.

A statement from Special Olympics Gibraltar follows below:

Special Olympics Gibraltar struck gold on the first day of finals in the World Winter Games in Turin on Wednesday when athlete Samuel Santos came first in his division in the Intermediate Giant Slalom event.

In a tough division of 8 athletes Samuel improved on his time of 43.34 seconds in the divisioning of the previous day achieving 36 seconds in his first run and 39 seconds in the second run. His gold medal goes one better than the silver medal he achieved in the previous games in Austria in 2017.

Samuel’s runs were watched by Minister for Sport Leslie Bruzon and accompanying family and friends of the athletes who were there to support the team.
 
Meanwhile the snowshoeing event completed divisioning for the 200m and 100m for the three athletes of Merlin Florkowski, Ryan Viagas and Sallyann Mauro with all improving on their personal bests compared to previous timings.
 
The team are looking forward to more excitement on Thursday in the 200m finals in snowshoeing and also the Super G alpine skiing event where athlete Francis Avellano joins Samuel in the quest for more medals.