Dale Begg-Smith has become the most successful Australian in Winter Olympic history with a silver medal in the moguls competition at Cypress Mountain.

Begg-Smith, who won gold in Torino, finished with a final score of 26.58 to finish just behind local hero Alexandre Bilodeau on a score of 26.75.

The gold for Canada is the first whilst hosting an Olympic Games (Summer or Winter). American Bryon Wilson was third.

Begg-Smith was disappointed to miss gold but philosophical with the result.

“I skied the way I wanted to ski and that’s all I can control,” Begg-Smith said.

“There were a lot of good runs out there today. And it just depends on the day how you do.

“I was just very happy to ski the way I did.”

Begg-Smith was pleased that a Canadian won the gold.

“I think it’s great that Canada won. The crowd was happy. They went crazy.”

Begg-Smith’s coach Steve Desovich says the Australian’s performance was sensational.

“You have to remember that he was on the surgeons table having his knee repaired just a short time ago,” he said.

“It was a brilliant run – he pulled out his best performance in the final and I’m proud of what he did,” Desovich added.

“He really is a special performer, becoming a two time Olympic medallist puts him up there with the all time greats of his sport,” he said.

The silver medal is the 7th medal won by Australia in Winter Olympic history, and marks the 5th successive Olympic Games that Australia has won a medal.

Bilodeau dedicated the win to his brother Frederic, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

“He is my inspiration. Growing up with him puts everything in perspective,” he said.

Bilodeau knows he will now enter the record books in Canada with his gold medal performance.

“Yes, it will start a party, but there are plenty of more gold coming for Canada,” he added.

The silver medal is the 7th medal won by Australia in Winter Olympic history, and marks the 5th successive Olympic Games that Australia has won a medal.

Damian Kelly
AOC - Vancouver