Putin congratulates Russian gold medalist Vic Wild

Associated Press

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated American-born Vic Wild, who won gold for Russia in parallel slalom snowboarding.

Wild, who competes for Russia after marrying Russian snowboarder Alena Zavarzina, won his second gold in Sochi after beating Zan Kosir of Slovenia by .11 of a second on Saturday.

Putin praised Wild's win in a statement posted on the Kremlin's website on Saturday, saying that Wild "withstood a fierce battle and formidable rivals."

"With your win, you have proved that the sports fate smiles on the most talented, driven and strongest in spirit," he said.

Another foreigner competing for Russia, South Korean-born Viktor Ahn, won three gold medals for the host nation in Sochi.