2018 Winter Olympics: Aimee Fuller feared for her safety during snowboard final in the ‘Pyeongchang Gust’

Gusty weather conditions meant that only nine runs out of 52 were completed without a fall

Aimee Fuller suffered a nasty fall on her second run in the snowboard slopestyle final (Getty)

Aimee Fuller admitted she feared for her safety as the gusty weather continued to play havoc with the 2018 Winter Olympics programme in Pyeongchang.

Fuller finished 17th in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event after the qualification runs had been cancelled on Sunday, putting all 26 competitors straight through to the final.

But the weather problems prevailed and Fuller considered herself fortunate to escape injury after crashing off her final jump on the course at the Phoenix Snow Park.

Fuller said: “Conditions today were definitely a challenge. It was for sure not what I dreamed of for an Olympic final, but it is what it is and I’m lucky to be in one piece right now.”

The conditions forced the 26-year-old to take evasive action during the first of her two runs which scored 34.62, before a more ambitious second routine earned 41.43 despite her crash off the last jump.

“There were huge gusts of wind – I’ve decided to call it the ‘Pyeongchang Gust’,” added Fuller. “It is the final, but you’ve got to think about your welfare as well.

“On the second run I wanted it, I was so hungry for it and I gave my absolute all. I felt like I had the right speed but once I was in the air there was a gust of wind that took me sideways and swept me off my feet.”

Also on Monday, the weather accounted for the women’s giant slalom for the second consecutive day, while the men’s downhill, scheduled for last Sunday, will now take place on Thursday.

Fuller felt a strong gust of wind that blew her off course (Getty)

The International Olympic Committee insisted athlete safety was the priority and pointed to the numerous contingency days available for rescheduling events.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the FIS, skiing and snowboarding’s world governing body, was relaxed about the weather necessitating changes to the schedule.

Adams said: “The competition is run by the International Ski Federation. They know their athletes and they know the conditions they work in.

“The safety of the athletes is the number one priority for us. We have time. There are reserve days. There is plenty of time to get all the competition in.”

PA