Two-time Olympic Gold medalist Seth Wescott of Carrabassett Valley stands at the base of Sugarloaf. (Sugarloaf file photo) VANCOUVER — If there’s anyone who has not yet learned that Carrabassett Valley’s Seth Wescott has cemented himself as the greatest SBX rider in the world, here’s your chance.

Wescott, who won the 2006 Olympic Gold medal in the sport’s début, came back to repeat that accomplishment last Monday, Feb. 15 by winning the gold at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

After a shaky time trial, Wescott and American teammate and five-time Winter X champion Nate Holland won their way through each heat and made it to the final round.

Many speak about his come-from-behind win and starting the race in fourth and somehow, someway taking the lead near the finish.

Others such as Carrabassett Valley Academy Headmaster John Ritzo suggested that he was just patient and had a very intelligent game plan going into the finals and knew exactly when and where he was going to gain speed.

“For me,” Wescott said before he left for Vancouver, “it just seems like it’s getting easier right now. Mentally I just keep getting stronger and stronger each year.”

Wescott, 33, said he wanted to defend his title this year and wants to retire after the 2014 Olympics in Sochi with three Olympic Gold Medals. He said he wants go down in the history books as the greatest ever.

“In terms of SBX history,” Ritzo explained, “He already cemented himself as a legendary character.” He has taken this to a whole new level and is now can be ranked with other American Olympic legends such as Lindsay Vonn and Shaun White.

“He left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he’s the best boardercross rider in the world,” Ritzo said on his return from Vancouver.

When Wescott won the gold and simultaneously Bode Miller took a bronze in the downhill, Ritzo, who was looking on, said he thought his cell phone was going to melt. Miller spent four years at CVA and Wescott, originally from Farmington, joined CVA in his senior year.

Sugarloaf president John Diller said that Sugarloaf and the whole community couldn’t be prouder of Seth’s amazing achievement.

“He has cemented his place in history as one of our country’s all time great Olympians,” Diller explained. “Over the years Seth has become such a cherished and important part of our community, and has been an incredible ambassador for Sugarloaf, for the state of Maine, and for snowboarding as a whole.”

Jeff Strunk, who is a one of the restaurant owners of The Rack along with Wescott, said the mood was great at the restaurant that afternoon.

“It almost felt like we were sent back to the 1930s when you had to listen to radio and tried to visualize events and picture in your mind how he pulled it off.” The race was televised hours after the event had occurred. Strunk explained that there was a patron who was talking on his cell phone to someone who was in Vancouver watching the live event. The patron with the phone to his ear provided the blow-by-blow details of Wescott’s final medal round.

Strunk said although they knew what had happened earlier, it was equally as exciting to see it on TV.

“Through all of his success,” Diller added, “he has been able to remain grounded and has represented his friends, family and his home in a way that makes us all proud to know him. Seth is the true embodiment of a Sugarloafer, and Sugarloaf is swelling with pride.”

Wescott has experience, confidence and ability, Ritzo explained. “This event was truly a testimony to his professionalism. He knew just when and where to use it.”

“My feeling is that we love Seth regardless of him winning the gold or not,” Strunk explained. “He’s just such a good friend, great partner and an awesome person to know… At the end of the day; no matter what he does we all still love him.”