Alex Bilodeau repeats as Olympics moguls champion; Kingsbury in second

Alex Bilodeau made doubly sure of his place in Canadian Olympic history, repeating as the winner of the men's moguls skiing at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Bilodeau, who won the first gold on Canadian soil when he captured the moguls at the Vancouver-Whistler Games four years ago, became the first repeat gold medallist for Canada since speed skater Catriona Le May Doan in 1998 and 2002. Bilodeau also became the first repeat gold winner in men's moguls.

Mikael Kingsbury, Bilodeau's Canadian World Cup rival, won the silver in his first Olympics. Alexandr Smyshlyaev of Russia took the bronze, Marc-Antoine Gagnon of Canada was fourth. Bilodeau, Gagnon and Kingsbury were the final three skiers in the super final of six competitors, providing an emotional end to the competition, amid talk of a possible podium sweep for Canada.

The two medals in moguls put Canada atop the medals standing, the first time that has happened.

In his final attempt, Bilodeau had a near-perfect run down the course at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, about 40 kilometres from Sochi. It was as much a triumph of poise as it was skiing ability. In the previous round, Bilodeau had come too high out of a jump in the previous round. That forced him to shorten his landing and he ended that round eighth among 12 skiers.

There was no doubt the next time. After his super-six run, the normally stoic Bilodeau celebrated with gusto.