WELLINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson congratulated 20-year-old snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott on winning the gold medal in the women's snowboard slopestyle final at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Sunday.

"It was very special to watch Zoi in what was a history-making performance to win New Zealand's first-ever Winter Olympic gold medal," said Grant Robertson.

Sadowski-Synnott took the early lead with a score of 84.51 on her first run. She was overtaken by Julia Marino of the USA, who scored 87.68 on her second run. Sadowski-Synnott eventually won the gold with a 92.88 in her final run.

"I had the honour of being there in person to see Zoi win bronze at the PyeongChang Olympic Games four years ago in the big air event at only 16 years old. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength to be one of the best snowboarders in the world," said Robertson.

"Today's achievement for Zoi is a mark of her exceptional talent, discipline and hard work. I'm sure New Zealand will join me in recognising her remarkable performance. We are very proud of her," said Grant Robertson.

Sunday's gold medal is New Zealand's fourth Winter Olympic medal since the country first competed at the Winter Olympics in 1952 in Oslo. Sadowski-Synnott claimed half of them so far after she and Nico Porteous won bronze medals in PyeongChang four years ago. New Zealand's first-ever Winter Olympics medal was skier Annelise Coberger's slalom silver medal in 1992.

Sadowski-Synnott is also competing in the snowboard big air event at the Beijing Winter Olympics, with qualifications starting on February 14. Enditem

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