OLYMPICS: Celebrations Already in Full Swing in Maze's Home Town

Bars in Črna na Koroškem, a small town in a remote northern part of the country near the Austrian border, opened early today and were packed in time for Maze's race to victory in the morning.

One of them is owned by her cousin Klemen Pušnik, who was exited to hear the skier cite memories of her first ever race in her childhood as her main inspiration before today's competition.

He said that he was among those who helped organise that downhill race in Črna, which the skier won. "Everything went back in time, this is an incredible story," he told the STA.

Maze's mother Sonja Maze watched the race with her colleagues at work, saying that they surprised her with a victory cake.

She said she knew what her daughter was capable of but was nonetheless stunned. Sonja Maze expects the result will take the pressure off Tina in the coming races. "I believe she has even more in store."

Mayor of Črna na Koroškem Romana Lesjak is already planing a reception, which she says will surely be the biggest to date.

Maze's success was also hailed by some of Slovenia's skiing champions, including by Urška Hrovat, the slalom specialist from the 1990s, who said that this was "a confirmation of her hard work though the years".

Jure Košir, slalom bronze medalist from the 1994 Lillehamer Olympics, who admitted there was "a big difference between an Olympic medal and the title of Olympic champion".