The victory was a first for US slalom skiers since Phil Mahre took gold at Sarajevo 1984 and a first for the US women since Barbara Cochran's victory in Sapporo 1972.

Ligety became the first American male to win Olympic gold in the giant slalom event after victory at Sochi 2014.

His win makes him just the second ever US alpine skier to secure two Olympic gold medals, following the gold he won in the combined event at Turin 2006.

Andrea Mead Lawrence accomplished the feat in 1952 where she won gold in the slalom and giant slalom events during the Oslo Games.

The USOC awarded double Olympic gold medallist Ted Ligety the male Athlete of the Month award for February ©Getty Images



The American ice dance duo of Charlie White and Meryl Davis were also awarded Team of the Month by the USOC.

The pair became the first American ice dancers to win an Olympic gold medal with victory in Sochi.

Their total score of 195.52 was a world record for the event and, along with the bronze they earned in team event, helped them tie for the most Olympic medals in US figure skating history with three apiece.

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March 2013: Alpine skiers named US Athletes of the Month following strong World Championships displays
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