Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 - - First Gold for Swiss Ski Jumper Simon Ammann in The Event (Must Watch Video)

WHISTLER — Simon Ammann had Georgia on his mind before Saturday’s gold-medal-winning ski jump at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

While poised to make what proved to be the longest jump of the day at Whistler Olympic Park, Ammann reflected on the devastating events of Friday, when 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed during a training run.

“I was up on the hill at the starting gate and I was the last jumper to be there,’’ Ammann, from Switzerland, said via an interpreter Saturday after capturing the individual normal hill title. “This is why I had to concentrate. I knew that I had to jump far.

“With the events from yesterday, the tragedy from yesterday, this gave me some other sort of idea of contemplating life. Oftentimes, it turns out to be different from what you had hoped for. This is why I want to cherish the moment. I have had a lot of luck in my career, and also today, and this is why I am so happy.’’

Ammann became the first gold medallist of this year’s Games on the strength of a 108-metre jump that elicited a roar from the crowd of 6,284 — which had earlier included United States vice-president Joe Biden, who watched the first of Saturday’s two rounds.

The final jump earned 141 points for Ammann once the judges factored style points into the equation. That jump, combined with a first-round score of 135.5, gave Ammann a final tally of 276.5 points — seven more than silver medallist Adam Malysz of Poland. Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria was third at 268.0.

The 28-year-old Ammann returned to the podium after an eight-year absence. He won both individual events at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, capturing the normal and large hill championships. Shortly thereafter, he was a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Prior to Salt Lake, Ammann had never won a World Cup event, and his best-ever result on the normal hill was 26th.

“Eight years ago, when I won my first Olympic medal, I was a newcomer,’’ he recalled. “I was fresh and I had no memories of previous events. Today, I have all the memories of my long career. It’s now a different situation for me. I started this season very well, with very good results. I just reiterate that it’s great to be here and to be successful again.’’

Ammann’s previous Olympics were a disappointment. He was seventh on the large hill and tied for 38th on the normal hill four years ago in Turin, Italy. The 2006 season was also a struggle on the World Cup circuit, as he placed 17th.

Ammann leads this year’s World Cup standings with 1,249 points, 57 ahead of the second-ranked Schlierenzauer. Last year, Schlierenzauer and Ammann were first and second, respectively, in the World Cup standings.

Schlierenzauer, 20, was well below his usual standards Saturday by posting a first jump of 101.5m, but rebounded with a distance of 106.5m to vault into the medals. However, he did not capture the gold medal that was projected by Sports Illustrated.

“What happened? Nothing happened,’’ Schlierenzauer said. “I’m not a machine. I am also a human and I am very proud that I won the bronze medal. It’s a very good feeling to be at my first Olympic Games and I won a medal.’’

So did Malysz, who emulated Ammann by returning to the podium after an eight-year absence. Like Ammann, Malysz won two medals in Salt Lake City — silver on the large hill and bronze on the small hill — before being blanked in 2004.

“I am very satisfied,’’ said Malysz, 32, a four-time gold medallist at the world championships. “Today was a very strong competition for me. My jumps today were very, very good and my feeling was also very good.’’

But nobody was feeling quite like Ammann, who became only the third ski jumper to win three Olympic gold medals. Matti Nykanen of Finland won a record four golds. Ammann and Germany’s Jens Weissflog are next on the list with three.

Ammann can equal Nykanen by winning the large hill event on Feb. 20. The team event is slated for Feb. 22.

In the meantime, Ammann is savouring Saturday’s accomplishment.

“Now I’m back on top of the world,’’ he said with a smile, moments before triumphantly concluding the media conference by raising his arms in the air.