Despite the sport being on the Olympic programme ever since the first Winter Olympics in 1924, the decision was only made to incorporate women's events in 2011, and this resulted in a fierce battle for the first title.

But, although a consistent World Cup performer, Vogt was not considered the favourite to win and did so by holding her nerve while others floundered,

After a huge leap of 103 metres in the first round a jump 97.5m was enough for the 22-year-old to stay on top and beat 2011 world champion Daniela Iraschko-Stolz of Austria.

Bronze went to Coline Mattel of France while Japan's teenage sensation Sara Takanashi could only finish fourth. 

Carina Vogt completed a giant leap for ski jumping by winning the first Olympic gold medal ©Getty Images



"I can't find the right words," said a clearly delighted Vogt following her historic win.

"I'm just speechless because training yesterday was not so good but now I've improved today.

"I've not won a World Cup until now - it's unbelievable - I wouldn't have imagined that one day before."

It was a day of huge success for female German's after Natalie Geisenberger led home compatriot Tatjana Huefner to win the luge and, after Felix Loch's victory, complete a luge singles double for Germany.

But while Geisenberger upheld her favourites tag, there was a huge shock in snowboarding when US superstar Shaun White missed out in his attempt to win a third successive halfpipe title.

White, who pulled out of the slopestyle event last weekend to focus on the halfpipe, made two major mistakes on his first run and, despite improving, could only rise to fourth on his second.

Instead, Iouri Podladtichiko of Switzerland took gold after a superb second run while both minor medals went to Japan - courtesy of 15-year-old Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka.

"It's not explainable how hard it was today but it just worked out - it's hot, cool and it's mine," said the Swiss winner.

Iouri Podladtchikov shocked the likes of Shaun White to win men's halfpipe gold ©Getty Images


Remarkably Hirano became the second 15-year-old star of these Games following the gold medal for Russia's Julia Lipnitskaia in the team figure skating.

Elsewhere there was a shock in the speed-skating simply due to the fact that, for the first time in Sochi, the Netherlands did not win the gold medal.

They did take bronze though courtesy of Margot Boer while Sang Hwa Lee took 2018 Winter Olympics hosts South Korea's first gold of the Games - while the home crowd had reason to cheer when Olga Fatkulina took Russian silver.

Following two yesterday there was another win for Canada today when Dara Howell triumphed in the ski slopestyle while Darya Domracheva of Belarus took the biathlon 10km pursuit.

But despite Canadian and German success it is Norway who lead the medals table - although all three winter superpowers are now tied on four gold medals.

Norway, who continued their strong form in the Nordic events when Maiken Caspersen Falla and Ola Vigen Hattestad each took gold in their respective cross-country sprints today, have three silvers and four bronze.

In comparison, Canada hold three silvers and two bronze, and Germany just a single silver.
 
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