Tabby Stoecker with her prized Olympic gold medal

ISLINGTON’S own Winter Olympics athlete clinched gold in Cortina on Sunday, in a history-making feat.

Tabby Stoecker, from Highgate, won the mixed doubles skeleton event alongside her partner Matt Weston.

As the Tribune reported last week, Ms Stoecker was one of the bookies’ favourites to come home victorious from the games in Italy as she hurtled down an ice track at death-defying speeds over the weekend.

The pair’s success took GB’s medal count that day to two, the first time ever the team had won multiple golds in one day at the Winter Olympics.

Ms Stoecker was cheered on by her family – including mum Alison, who is running as an independent candidate in the upcoming local elections.

Alison described the moment supporters looked at Mr Weston’s time and knew the pair had won the gold. “It was just euphoric”, she told the Tribune. “We were all screaming and crying and hugging and kissing”.

The family only gets a few minutes to celebrate with their athlete before they are whisked away to be drug-tested. But nothing could take away from seeing her beaming as the gold medal was put around her neck.

Tabby Stoecker’s supporters travelled to the games in Italy to back the Highgate athlete

“We had people coming up to us saying how much they love Tabby and how much they admire her”, Alison said. “She picked me up, and I was so proud. It’s the first time this event has ever happened. No matter what, she’ll go down in history.

“And the fact that she wasn’t feeling at her million per cent and still pulled it out the bag, it shows how much more she has to give. She works so hard for this, she epitomises dedication and she loves inspiring others.”

Ms Stoecker will now stay in Cortina until the closing ceremony later this week, but Alison hopes she will return home to Islington for some time off soon.

“I know the team have their moment to celebrate, and get whisked off to an unknown venue until one in the morning. It’s great they can be all together and enjoy their success for a moment. I’m hoping she’ll come back home, but I know there are all types of obligations once you win the gold and it will be a busy schedule.

“She really wants to inspire others to achieve, and trying to live up to any potential, that’s living life”.

Speaking to the Tribune ahead of the competition, Ms Stoecker’s sister Paloma described her as an “amazing role model” who has “courage” and approaches the sport “with her whole heart”.

“It is really beautiful to watch her do her thing”, said Paloma. “She is so in control. It’s exciting and exhilarating and she has really become this professional athlete”.

Ms Stoecker only took up skeleton six years ago, after seeing an ad for a Team GB talent identification scheme.

Before that, she had trained in gymnastics at Talacre Community Sports Centre and later studied circus skills – including the flying trapeze – at a school in Old Street.

Her family had been hoping she would clinch a medal at the Olympic Games, having previously won silver at the European Champion­ships and bronze at the World Championships.

Ms Stoecker came fifth in the women’s final on Saturday, but got her podium moment on Sunday.