Australia's Dale Begg-Smith has won the gold medal in the men's moguls at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Begg-Smith became the third Australian to win a Winter Olympic gold medal and it was the nation's first medal of the 2006 Turin Games.

The 21-year-old Canadian born and raised Begg Smith was the last down the course in the final but showed no sign of nerves as he scored 26.77 to edge out Mikko Ronkainen of Finland and Toby Dawson of the United States.

Fellow Australian Nick Fisher attained his best finish in a top tier competition, finishing in 12th position.

Begg-Smith was the favourite to win the event after taking out three of the last four World Cup events and had been the top qualifier on the Sauze D'Oulx course.

He had chosen tricks of an inversion with cross and a 720 off-axis spin which impressed the judges and he was second quickest down the run, but again it was his silky turns that won the day.

Begg-Smith joined Steven Bradbury and Alisa Camplin as the only Australians to have won winter golds.

Bradbury and Camplin's triumphs came four years ago in Salt Lake City.

"I'm very happy. I never expected this to happen," said Begg-Smith.

"It was important to keep clean and consistent runs and the bottom line landing was also important."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP