Dale Begg-Smith

2.1. Childhood and Business Ventures

Begg-Smith was born on January 18, 1985, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Demonstrating an early aptitude for business, he formed an internet company when he was just 13 years old. He began his freestyle skiing career as a teenager, competing for his native Canada. He made his World Cup debut for Canada during the 2000-2001 season at the age of 15. However, his dedication to his successful business venture led to conflicts with his Canadian coaches, who felt he was spending too much time on his company and not enough on training. This disagreement ultimately led him to leave the Canadian ski program.

2.2. Move to Australia and Citizenship

Following his departure from the Canadian team, Begg-Smith, along with his brother Jason Begg-Smith, moved to Australia at the age of 16 to live with their cousin, Nicole. The decision to relocate was influenced by an invitation from Steve Desovich, an Australian coach. The brothers chose to represent Australia because the country's smaller ski program offered them more individualized attention and the flexibility needed to successfully manage their business interests. They remained out of competitive skiing for three years, training instead with the Australian team and residing in Jindabyne, New South Wales, each winter. After this three-year period, they qualified for and obtained Australian citizenship in 2003-2004, enabling them to compete for their newly adopted country.

3.1. Early Career with Canada

Begg-Smith began his competitive skiing journey in the North American Cup, participating in two events during the 1996-1997 season, achieving a highest rank of 24th in single moguls and 17th in dual moguls. He continued in the North American Cup in the 1997-1998 season (four events, highest 29th single, 33rd dual) and 1998-1999 season (three events, highest 43rd single, 33rd dual). At 15 years old, he made his World Cup debut for Canada during the 2000-2001 season, where his best finish was 18th. His commitment to his business led to disagreements with his Canadian coaches, ultimately resulting in his departure from the Canadian national team.

3.2. Transition to Australian Representation

After a three-year hiatus from competitive skiing, Begg-Smith returned to the World Cup circuit in the 2003-2004 season, representing Australia. In his comeback season, he participated in eight World Cup events, achieving a highest finish of 6th place in single moguls, and finished 18th overall in the moguls standings. During this period, he also competed in the Australian New Zealand Cup, winning two of three events in 2004 and two of three events in 2005.

3.3. World Cup Success

Begg-Smith's career saw extensive success on the FIS World Cup circuit:

• 2004-2005 Season:** He achieved two second-place finishes and one third-place finish, securing an impressive second place in the overall World Cup standings for moguls.
• 2005-2006 Season:** This season marked his breakthrough, as he secured his first World Cup victory in the second event. He went on to win six of the eleven events and achieved eight podium finishes, ultimately dominating the Moguls World Cup overall title with a lead of over 300 points over his closest competitor.
• 2006-2007 Season:** Begg-Smith continued his winning streak, starting the season with a victory. He claimed six wins and seven podium finishes out of ten events, securing his second consecutive Moguls World Cup title with a lead of nearly 300 points. He also achieved overall victory in the Dual Moguls discipline, with two wins out of three events, and was crowned the overall World Cup champion across all freestyle skiing disciplines.
• 2007-2008 Season:** He earned three victories and five podium finishes out of ten events. He secured his third consecutive Moguls World Cup title before the final event of the season, holding a lead of over 100 points. This achievement made him only the second skier in history, after French skier Edgar Grospiron, to win three consecutive World Cup titles.
• 2008-2009 Season:** Despite expectations for a historic fourth consecutive title, Begg-Smith was forced to withdraw from the fifth event onwards due to injury, which also led to his absence from the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships.
• 2009-2010 Season:** He won his fourth World Cup title, matching Edgar Grospiron for the most World Cup wins. He also holds the record for qualifying for the most consecutive World Cup finals in events he entered, reaching his 48th consecutive final in March 2010.

3.4. World Championship Performances

Begg-Smith achieved significant medal success at the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships:

• 2005 Ruka, Finland:** He earned a bronze medal in the men's moguls event, narrowly missing gold by just 0.15 points. He also placed 5th in the dual moguls competition.
• 2007 Madonna di Campiglio, Italy:** He secured a silver medal in the men's moguls event, finishing behind Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau. However, he went on to win a gold medal in the dual moguls event.

His achievements, including his overall World Cup second place in 2004-2005, the 2005 World Championship bronze, the 2005-2006 overall World Cup title, the 2006 Olympic gold, and the 2007 World Championship gold, marked significant "firsts" for Australian mogul skiers. Notably, he secured every major title in moguls skiing's "Big 3" competitions (World Cup, World Championships, and Olympics) except for the single moguls World Championship title.

3.5. Olympic Achievements

Dale Begg-Smith's Olympic career is highlighted by two medal-winning performances, including a historic gold for Australia.

4.1. Business Ventures

Begg-Smith's entrepreneurial journey began at a remarkably young age, as he established his first internet company when he was just 13 years old. This venture evolved into an internet advertising business, initially known as Ads CPM and later rebranded as CPM Media. This business allowed him to generate funds for his skiing activities and was a significant factor in his decision to move to Australia, seeking a national ski program that offered greater flexibility for his dual commitments.

4.2. Allegations of Malware Distribution

Begg-Smith's internet advertising business, Ads CPM (later CPM Media), became the subject of controversy due to allegations linking its activities to the distribution of malware. Reports, including those from The Sydney Morning Herald, claimed that "a trail of digital fingerprints scattered over the web... shows Mr Begg-Smith's long and rewarding involvement in the distribution of 'malicious software'." In response to these allegations, Begg-Smith's manager, David Malina, asserted that the reports about his client's business had been "exaggerated." Malina further stated that Begg-Smith was no longer as deeply involved in the business, having "minimised his involvement to concentrate on his sport."

5.1. Personal Characteristics and Media Relations

Begg-Smith is widely regarded as a recluse by many, often maintaining a private demeanor. He has consistently declined to communicate with non-Australian media outlets, particularly those from Canada. During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, NBC notably dubbed him "the most mysterious man of the Winter Olympics" in a segment aired on February 14, 2010. Despite his considerable wealth, Alisa Monk, the coordinator of the Australian moguls program, described his approach to travel and accommodation as economical. She noted, "Wherever the team stays, he stays. There are certainly no big demands. You wouldn't know he had a bit of money." Monk also mentioned that when at Perisher Blue, a ski resort in Australia, he shared accommodation with other mogul skiers and his brother, further illustrating his unassuming lifestyle.

5.2. Philanthropic Contributions

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, Dale Begg-Smith demonstrated his commitment to humanitarian efforts. He donated his prize money, approximately 13.67 K USD, to support the ongoing earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

6.1. Major Awards and Commemorations

On February 21, 2006, in recognition of his gold medal victory at the Turin Winter Olympics, Australia Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor. Australia Post stated that his gold medal placed him in a "small and honoured group of athletes." In 2005, before his Olympic triumph, Begg-Smith was recognized as Ski and Snowboard Australia's Snowsports Athlete of the Year. He was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), an honor within the Australian honours system.

7.1. Olympic Games

7.2. FIS World Ski Championships

7.3. FIS World Cup

Dale Begg-Smith's performance in the FIS World Cup circuit is summarized in the tables below, detailing his overall season standings and individual podium finishes.