Australia at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Infobox Olympics Australia
games=2006 Winter
competitors=40
sports=10
flagbearer=Alisa Camplin (opening)
Dale Begg-Smith (closing)
gold=1
silver=0
bronze=1
total=2
rank=17

Australia competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The team of 40 athletes was the largest ever for Australia, surpassing the team of 31 that participated at the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Prior to the Olympics, Australia had set a goal of winning one medal.Herald Sun: [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18010925%255E2863,00.html Aussies set target of one medal] February 2, 2006.] They were able to win two medals – one gold and one bronze – and had several other top 10 finishes.

Alisa Camplin served as flag bearer at the opening ceremonies.

Medalists

Gold

;Freestyle skiing:* Men's moguls: Dale Begg-Smith with a final score of 26.77

Bronze

;Freestyle skiing:* Women's aerials: Alisa Camplin with a final score of 191.39

Results by event

Alpine skiing

;Men's combined:

;Men's giant slalom:

Men's 20 km individual

Cross-country skiing

Australia sent 3 skiers to compete in the cross country events, its largest contingent at a Winter Olympics.

Men's sprint
* Paul Murray: Qualification - 2:25.29 (did not advance)

Women's 15 km pursuit (7.5+7.5)
* Clare-Louise Brumley: Final - 47:03.1 (42nd place)

Women's sprint
* Esther Bottomley: Qualification - 2:23.55 (did not advance)

Figure skating

Women's
* Joanne Carter: Short program - 40.86 (25th place - did not advance)

Freestyle skiing

Canadian-born Dale Begg-Smith is ranked number 1 in the world with 585 points, 149 points ahead of his nearest competitor. Australia sent its full quota of women's aerial skiers, including Salt Lake gold medallist Alisa Camplin.

Aerials

Women's aerials

Luge

Women’s singles

Men's 1500 m

Women’s 1500 m

nowboarding

Giant slalom

Men's parallel giant slalom

Women’s halfpipe

In Women’s halfpipe, there were two qualifying runs. The top 6 women from each qualifying run were advanced to the finals. In the first qualifying run, the top 6 scores ranged from 34.5 - 44.9 points. In the second qualifying run, the top 6 scores ranged from a 34.8 - 43.1 points. Hannah Teter from the United States won the gold medal with a final run score of 46.4 points. Chikako Fushimi of the Japan had the lowest final score of 15.6 points and took 12th place.

ee also

*Australia at the 2006 Winter Paralympics
*Australia at the Winter Olympics

External links

* [http://www.olympics.com.au/ Australia NOC]
* [http://www.owia.org/ Olympic Winter Institute of Australia]

References

* Australian Olympic Committee: "2006 Australian Winter Olympic Team" [http://www.olympics.com.au/files/11/2006_Australian_Winter_Olympic_Team_25Jan.pdf PDF file] January 25, 2006.
* Sydney Morning Herald: [http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/dale-begs-the-question-can-australia-win-a-mogul-medal-in-turin/2006/01/23/1137864864166.html Dale begs the question: can Australia win a mogul medal in Turin?] January 24, 2006.
* Fox Sports: [http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18047497-23218,00.html Turin medal hope wins silver] February 5, 2006.