Canadians wait with bated breath no longer as mogul skier Alexandre Bilodeau became the first Canadian Olympian to win gold on home soil on Sunday (Feb. 14).
Of all places, it was the snow-strained grounds of Cypress Mountain that became the historical site as the 22-year-old carved like a rocket down the course, pulling a double-full on the top jump and a crossed-up back flip on the bottom jump to beat defending Olympic champion and Canadian expatriate Dale Begg-Smith of Australia.
The sound of more than 8,000 spectators filled the venue as Bilodeau hoisted the Canadian flag above his head.
Bilodeau said the moment didn't seem real.
"I don't believe it yet. It's been a dream since I was a little kid and its come true," said the Montreal native.
"I can't think. It's too good to be true. There are more golds to come for Canada. It's just the beginning of a good party in Canada."
Speed turned out to be the winning factor. Bilodeau was judged slightly better on his aerials but was edged out by Begg-Smith on the turns. Bilodeau broke the tie by reaching the bottom in 23.17 seconds, bettering Begg-Smith's time of 23.72 seconds.
Quebec City's Vincent Marquis, 25, nearly made it to the podium but placed fourth behind American Bryon Wilson. Drummondville, Que.'s Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau, 30, placed fifth and 24-year-old Maxime Gingras of St-Hippolyte, Que. finished 11th.
