The Aussie Team inside the Skyy Ice Bar

The Whistler contingent of the Australian Olympic Team finished competition on Wednesday and celebrated with a shindig in the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar at Blackcomb Village.

The Aussies, which included the alpine and cross country skiers, sliders and biathlete Alex Almoukov, along with coaches, managers and family, gathered at Monks bar at the base of the Blackcomb chair to toast to Australia's best Games ever - just hours after Lydia Lassila claimed gold number two in womens aerials.

The decision for the mens 4-man bobsleigh crew not to race made the girls bobsleigh duo Astrid Loch-Wilkinson and Cecilia McIntosh the final Australians to compete at a Whistler venue when they raced in the womens bobsleigh earlier that night.

Alpine racers Jono Brauer (left) and Craig Branch (right) with their physio Simon Ruse (centre)

The mood was jubilant when the team moved from the warmth of Monks Bar to the refrigerated Skyy Ice Bar for the novelty of drinking inside an igloo. Despite the huge overcoats provided and the team issue white puffer jackets, many complained about the cold - which seemed strange considering they spend most of their time training and competing in freezing northern winters.

With several days to go until the closing ceremony in Vancouver, the Aussies are planning to enjoy Whistler and the amenities of the Athlete's Village with sightseeing, skiing and even zip-lining adventures. The Whistler zip-line is a giant flying fox through the forest around the village; more high speed adventure for the Aussie speed demons.

Bobsleigher Jeremy Rolleston helps out the bar tender

tags: olympic, feature, features, whistler, australian, team, celebration, lydia, lassila, photo, photos

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