Lassila win caps Australia's best Games

Australia celebrated their best-ever Winter Olympics following Lydia Lassila's victory in the women's aerials.

It was Australia's third medal in Vancouver following Torah Bright's gold in the women's halfpipe and Dale Begg-Smith's silver in the men's moguls.

It is the first time Australia have won three medals at a Winter Olympics and surpasses the country's previous best of two golds at the 2002 Salt Lake Games when speedskater Steven Bradbury and aerial skier Alisa Camplin stood atop the podium.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led the tributes to Lassila's victory.

"The country's proud of you, it's a really good achievement for Australia," Rudd told parliament as the news hit in the mid-afternoon.

"It lifts the nation's spirits when we see our athletes doing so well abroad and contributing to this being the most successful Winter Olympics that Australia has ever had ... well done, Lydia."

Lassila is a former gymnast who turned to winter sport after being injured in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Summer Games.

Source:China Daily