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Adrenaline was running high for Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl after winning a second straight Olympic gold medal in the men’s parallel giant slalom on Sunday.
And that adrenaline made him not feel the cold temperatures as he tore off his jacket and clothes to celebrate.
Karl, 40, flexed his arms and screamed, ripping off his jacket and four layers of clothing during his celebration. He was even seen face down on the snow, which must have been cold, but he didn’t care.
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Gold medalist Benjamin Karl of Team Austria reacts after winning the men’s parallel giant slalom grand final on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 8, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Karl was once again an Olympic gold medalist and that was all that mattered at the moment.
Before his medal-winning run, Karl trailed South Korea’s Kim Sang-kyum for most of the final run as he took full advantage of Kim’s mistake.
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Karl crossed the finish line 0.19 seconds ahead of his South Korean opponent to win gold at the Livigno Snow Park. Rounding out the podium was Bulgaria’s Tervel Zamfirov with bronze.
Gold medalist Benjamin Karl of Team Austria celebrates after crossing the finish line in first place to win the men’s parallel giant slalom grand final on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 8, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Livigno Snow Park crowd loved every moment of Karl’s celebration, which certainly ranks at the top of the first reactions to winning gold in Milano Cortina so far.
After the celebration, Karl eventually turned around and joined Kim and Zamfirov on the podium.
As the Austrian national anthem played, Karl’s smile never faded.
Gold medalist Benjamin Karl of Team Austria celebrates after winning the men’s parallel giant slalom grand final on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 8, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
He also made Olympic history, becoming the first snowboarder to win four medals. He also won a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, while he won silver in 2010 in Vancouver at Whistler.
