Speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida won an emotional first gold medal for host nation Italy at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday.Her gold was Italy's third medal of the Games, after men's downhill skiers Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris won silver and bronze respectively earlier on Saturday.

Speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida won host Italy's first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday, taking the women's 3,000 meters in an Olympics-record time.

It was a very happy birthday for Francesca Lollobrigida. Lollobrigida, competing today on her 35th birthday, brought home the gold for Team Italy in the women’s speed skating 3000m — and set an Olympic record in the process.

On her 35th birthday, Lollobrigida set an Olympic record to win gold, setting off a raucous celebration with her team and son, Tomasso.

Francesca Lollobrigida celebrates with her young son after winning Italy's first gold medal at this year's Winter Olympics in the women's 3,000m speed skating.

Italy had a fantastic start to the medal events at its home Winter Olympics. Francesca Lollobrigida earned the first Italian gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games in the women's 3000-meter event in speed skating.

Francesca Lollobrigida powered to victory in the women's 3,000 metres speed skating on Saturday, bringing Italy its first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games and ending the Netherlands' run of three consecutive Olympic titles in the discipline.

Francesca Lollobrigida celebrates with her young son after winning Italy's first gold medal at this year's Winter Olympics in the women's 3,000m speed skating.