Lizzy Yarnold has admitted that it could take some time before it dawns on her that she has become Team GB's first gold medallist of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
The 25-year-old produced a track-record slide on her way to comfortably winning the women's skeleton ahead of American Noelle Pikus-Pace in Sochi.
"I don't think it is going to sink in for a long time. The fourth time I was relaxed and enjoyed it," she told BBC Sport.
"It was a messy run, but I am so thrilled I got myself here after five years of hard work. You give up so much but a victory like today makes it all worth it. I have shown the world what I am capable of. I cannot believe I won the race!
"It is lovely it is Valentine's Day, there is lots of romance in the air. There are so many people who were part of my journey - I am so chuffed I am Olympic champion!"
Yarnold is only Britain's 10th Winter Games champion and she ensured that her country retained the women's skeleton title following the triumph Amy Williams at Vancouver 2010.
