FREESTYLE SKIING: After three years away from competition Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian Dale Begg-Smith has returned to compete at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, in what he says could be his last Olympics.

The 29-year-old Moguls skier has a gold and silver medal already, but is back for more.

He said joining teammates including Britt Cox, Matt Graham and Brodie Summers in qualifying for Sochi was the aim of his comeback to competition last year.

“I saw the team improving and you just sort of get the itch when you see the Olympics coming up,” Begg-Smith said.

“I think I always had in the back of my mind that at some point I would want to return.

“I thought, you know, I’d come back and work with guys for a bit. We work well as a team together.”

With a gold medal from Torino in 2006, a silver from Vancouver in 2010, 18 World Cups and 29 podium finishes to his name, Begg-Smith brings winning experience and knowledge to the Team.

He hadn’t competed on the World Cup circuit since 2010, but last year made a comeback for four World Cup events, enough to gain selection for the Sochi Olympics.

Begg-Smith said, for him, time away from skiing wouldn’t affect his ability. 

“During those few years off I’ve been going to the gym quite a bit and staying in shape,” he said.

“Based on the level of skiing I’m quite happy where I’m at.

“It’s just a matter of making sure that my jumps are good and large.”

After injuries affected his 2010 Vancouver campaign, he said he will be taking it easy in training to lower the risk of injuries before competition.

“I’ll save my body and make sure I can put down the best performance possible and not be injured,” Begg-Smith said.

“It’s just like riding a bike, you will perform when you need to.

“It’s just a matter of each time trusting yourself.”

With 60 Australia athletes at the Sochi Olympics, Begg-Smith thinks this Team is the strongest Australia has ever had.

He said he feels involved in the increasing success of the Winter Olympics Team.

“I’ve seen all the sports improve a lot over years and I like to think I was a part of that. And I like when other athletes in Australia come up and say, you know, thanks for coming down and helping us out,” he said.

“It’s incredible to see over 13-14 years how large the team is now and how many different sports there’s high quality athletes in.”

Asked about his arrival into Sochi on Monday night (local time), he said with no working phone, lost bags in Frankfurt and landing at a different terminal to originally organised, there had been a lot of confusion.

But Begg-Smith said the attention wasn’t so bad.

“I think its flattering people care to see what’s going on,” he said.

After starting Moguls skiing at the age of four, Begg-Smith hopes this Olympics is his last.

“I’m getting too old, I’m like the old guy.”

Begg-Smith says the Sochi Olympics are his chance to go out on top.