Greg Fligor won the slalom gold medal at the National Snowboard Championship in Copper Mountain, Colo., in a dramatic week of competition. Greg is the son of Leslye and Andy Fligor of Weston and Edgartown, and the grandson of Carol and Dick Fligor of Edgartown.

For the past 11 years, from December through April 1, Greg Fligor has traveled with his family every weekend to Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H., to train and compete in snowboard racing in giant slalom, slalom and boardercross events. This year Greg, who was now the number-one-ranked racer in the national snowboard association’s New Hampshire regional series, won an invitation to compete at the nationals, with nearly 1,800 competitors ranging in age from 4 to 64.

Greg arrived in Colorado with the flu, and on his third day he headed to the top of the mountain for the giant slalom race. As he moved towards the starting gate to begin his run, he literally passed out due to altitude sickness. Greg was immediately taken down the mountain via sled with an oxygen mask attached. He continued to receive oxygen over the next 48 hours, while resting and preparing for his next event, boardercross. On his sixth day, Greg performed his boardercross time trial but unfortunately he was still not at the top of his game and missed making the cut by less than one second.

The following day, Greg got his color back and was feeling back to normal. As he headed to the top of the mountain for his slalom race, he realized this was his last race of the year and his fierce competitive spirit and determination took over. He completed his first time trial and was the second fastest down the course. Then the top four racers were put in head-to-head competition, each making two runs down with the fastest racer, Greg and a Vermont competitor, moving to the finals.

After the first run in the finals, Greg was more than one second behind. He headed back up to the top, and prepared for the run of his life. Greg made up the time and won the gold for what his family reports is the thrill of a lifetime: He is now a national champion!

After having to live with an oxygen mask for two days to cope with the altitude sickness, his family notes that it would have been very easy for him to quit and walk away. Greg’s determination to rise to the competition made this win that much sweeter, they noted in a report to the Gazette.

Snowboarding is not Greg’s only sport. Last year at this time, he successfully won a spot on the U.S. National Optimist Sailing team and competed in Garda, Italy, in the largest sailing regatta in the world.