"Boom". That's not a bomb going off - just a pumped-up Nico Porteous celebrating at the bottom of his first run moments after seeing his score.
The Wanaka 20-year-old absolutely aced the run and notched a whopping score of 93.
The young masked man did not know it yet, but no-one was going to be able to better it. And under all the skiing garb, there must have been a confident smile.
Listen to RNZ interview with Nico Porteous
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games bronze medallist went into the men’s freeski halfpipe final in Beijing on Saturday as the favourite and emerged as the first New Zealand man to win a Winter Olympic gold medal.
Wanaka snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claimed New Zealand’s first last week with a stunning effort in the women’s slopestyle and followed that up with silver in the big air competition.
That moment was quite something. Porteous put together right and left double cork 1620s in a sensational run in tough conditions.
"If you had told me ... that in the same year you’d win X Games and the Olympics I would not believe you," he said.
"I’m definitely just going to cherish this and forever hold on to [the memory]."
Porteous’ older brother, Miguel (22), was also competing and finished in 11th place.
The brothers were arm in arm when Nico’s gold medal was confirmed.
It was a touching moment for the family. And further honours awaited.
Porteous was named as the New Zealand team flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
"To be asked to lead that team into the closing moments of the most successful games we’ve ever had is a true honour. I’m really, really humbled to get the opportunity."
New Zealand team chef de mission Marty Toomey said he had no doubt the performances of Porteous, Sadowski-Synnott and the team would have inspired people and helped raise the profile of the sport.
"Kids look at that and say they’d love to do that one day. And they are such an amazing group of young humans. I have no doubt they have inspired the next generation.
"It will be great to see who comes along behind them."
The welcome home party for Porteous will have to wait, though.
He is not planning on returning to New Zealand until later in the year, perhaps in July.
"I’m 20, I’m on top of the world and I feel like this is crazy and I really, really want to take advantage of this moment and really just go and experience life, travelling and just sort of have a bit of an OE."
