The 2010 Vancouver Winter Games wrapped up today after the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Vancouver.

The Winter Olympic Games, from 12 - 28 February, saw Australia post their best ever results after two gold medals and one silver medal in Vancouver.

Included in Australia's medal haul was NSWIS athlete Torah Bright, who claimed gold in the women's snowboard half-pipe at Cypress Mountain. Bright's second run in the final was flawless, scoring 45.0 points to take gold ahead of two American competitors.

NSWIS athletes also contributed to four other top 10 finishes at the Games. Scott Kneller finished seventh in the men's ski cross, Holly Crawford finished eighth in the women's snowboard half-pipe, Emma Lincoln-Smith finished 10th in the women's skeleton, and Damon Hayler finished 10th in the men's snowboard cross.

There were also a number of promising signs for Australia's Winter Olympic future. NSWIS youngsters Britteny Cox and Cheltzie Lee finished 23rd in the women's freestyle moguls, and 20th in the women's figure skating program, respectively. Cox, at 15, is Australia's youngest Olympian in 50 years, while Lee performed outstandingly at 16 to finish in the top 20 at her debut Games.

Other excellent results from the Games include luger Hannah Campbell-Pegg matching her personal Olympic best finish of 23rd, Alex Almoukov and Ben Sim both performing strongly in the biathlon and cross country, respectively, and Jenny Owens and Katya Crema making the quarter-finals of the women's ski cross.

Jono Brauer and Craig Branch continued their representation of Australia at the highest level despite a number of setbacks, while former European handball athlete Anthony Deane finished 23rd in the men's skeleton in his debut Games. Ramone Cooper was brave in his effort of finishing 27th in the men's freestyle moguls after a knee injury only two weeks out from competition severely hampered his build up.

Despite their best preparations, it was a Games to forget for bobsleighers Jeremy Rolleston and Duncan Harvey. Rolleston unfortunately crashed out in his only competition, the two man bobsleigh, while Harvey sustained an injury during training and could only compete for one day.

The medals continued for Australia in the Paralympic Games as the nation claimed one silver and three bronze medals from 12 - 21 March.

NSWIS athlete Marty Mayberry claimed silver in the men's standing downhill with Swiss skier Michael Brugger. Mayberry and Brugger both clocked times of 1:22.78 to achieve the rare feat. Fellow NSWIS athlete Toby Kane finished 10th in the same event.

Kane was the best placed athlete in the men's standing slalom, finishing 11th while Nicholas Watts unfortunately did not finish the event. Kane also performed strongly in the men's standing giant slalom, finishing 10th with Watts finishing 35th and Mayberry crashing out during the first run.

There was a turn of events for Mayberry in the men's standing super-G, finishing 24th. Watts came in 33rd and Kane did not finish the event.

Shannon Dallas was the only representative for the NSWIS in the men's sitting events, enjoying a best placed finish of sixth in the men's sitting giant slalom. Dallas also finished ninth in the sitting super-G and 17th in the men's slalom but did not finish the men's super combined.

Gold medallist from the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games Bart Bunting did not finish in his only event, the men's visually impaired downhill, however he stated he is planning to compete in Sochi 2014.

The NSWIS would like to congratulate all athletes on their excellent achievements in Vancouver.