It's the first week of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and we've already seen a collection of stunning images coming out of the games, from soaring snowboarders to fireworks dotting the night sky.
For today's installment of the Winter Olympics photo of the day, 23-year-old Matthias Mayer of Austria is captured during the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill soaring toward the gold medal. Mayer beat out five-time U.S. Olympic medalist Bode Miller, who was expected to take the top spot in the downhill competition.

But getting the photos is no easy task. Getty Images photographer Ezra Shaw, who is shooting his seventh Winter Olympics, skied the course early Sunday morning to set up his camera position.
"A lot of preparation and planning goes into covering the Alpine Downhill, but it comes down to that fraction of a second when the skier comes flying down the mountain at 120 kilometers an hour (75 MPH)," Shaw said in an e-mail.
Each skier flies into the camera viewfinder for a quarter of a second, giving Shaw just enough time to capture the shot. However, with 20 skiers in contention to win the race, he had to repeat the process each time to make sure each skier was set in the frame.
"Everything comes together and you capture the moment — or you don't," Shaw said. "I was one of four guys on the mountain today and am proud that all of us captured great action [from] the new Olympic champion."
For more images from other Getty Images photographers in Sochi, check out @GettySport on Instagram.
BONUS: Fans Celebrating at the Winter Olympics

Fans limbo dance under a U.S. flag to celebrate Jamie Anderson's gold medal in the women's snowboard slopestyle final at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Fans await the start of the Women's Freestyle Skiing Moguls finals at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014.
Judges look on during the Ladies' Normal Hill Individual Ski Jumping training on day 2 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Ruski Gorki Jumping Center on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Norwegian fans enjoy the atmosphere during the Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
A Russian supporter smiles on his way from Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A fan cheers during the Men's 5000m speed skating event at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.
Russian supporters attend the Men's Alpine Skiing Downhill at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 9, 2014.
A pin collector displays his badges ahead of the Men's Luge Singles on Day 2 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Sliding Center Sanki on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Fans look on during the Men's Figure Skating Men's Free Skate during day two of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Fans enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the Men's Luge Singles on Day 2 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Sliding Center Sanki on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Under orange lighting, gold medallist Sven Kramer of the Netherlands walks through a crowd of cheering fans after winning the gold in the men's 5,000-meter speedskating race at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Kramer set a new Olympic record in the race.
Fans enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the Men's Luge Singles on Day 2 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Sliding Center Sanki on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Fans cheer at the finish area during the men's singles luge final at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A Norway fan dressed as a viking smiles ahead of the medal ceremony on day 2 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Medals Plaza on Feb. 9, 2014 in Sochi.
Semen Pavlichenko of Russia passes fans as he brakes in the finish area during the men's singles luge final at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the Men's 5000m Speed Skating event during day 1 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Adler Arena Skating Center on February 8, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Fans cheer at the finish during the men's singles luge final at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Fans cheer during the women's 3,000-meter speedskating competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.