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Two decades after using the Calgary Olympics to become one of the world's most lovable losers, Eddie the Eagle finally found somebody to beat yesterday.
Returning to the 90-metre ski jump tower from which he launched himself into the living rooms and hearts of viewers around the world, the 44-year-old British legend kicked off Calgary's 20th anniversary celebration by sliding down Canada Olympic Park's zipline alongside original Jamaican bobsledder Devon Harris.
Traveling at speeds approaching 120 km/h, the Eagle landed first, complete with the original pink goggles, helmet and tracksuit he wore when he found fame.
"I let him win," laughed Harris, conceding the Games that put this city on the map truly belonged to the bespectacled Brit. "I'm a speed guy, but this is Eddie's hill. They gave me a bigger parachute to slow me down."
While yesterday's scene was devoid of the 85,000 people who packed the hillside to chant his nickname, Michael (Eddie) Edwards was once again surrounded by the type of media throng that made him a folk hero in 1988.
"Even though I came 58th, I didn't come last," beamed the humble plasterer, relishing his chance to reminisce.
"I beat a Frenchman who broke his leg the day before."
Despite setting a British ski jump record of 73.5 metres, England's first Olympic ski-jumper was miles behind triple gold medal winner Matti Nykanen.
An embarrassed IOC soon put an end to future "Olympic tourists" by implementing strict qualifying standards, but his legend burned brighter than the flame at McMahon Stadium when Juan Antonio Samaranch referenced the Eagle in his closing speech.
"A week before Calgary, I was a plasterer earning 5,000 pounds a year and after Calgary, I was opening shopping centres, golf courses and all these beautiful women were throwing themselves at me - I had about 30 marriage proposals," laughed Edwards, who was hoping only to grab a sponsor or two so he could train for subsequent games.
"I didn't realize I'd be christened Eddie the Eagle, have people chanting 'Ed-die, Ed-die' and create such a stir. I can't believe it's 20 years and I'm standing here at the jump where The Eagle was hatched.
"I remember when I got to the airport 20 years ago and I stood at the carousel watching my pants and socks going around because my bag had split open. I was just glad it didn't happen the day before yesterday when I came back."
A re-set jaw and laser surgery have changed his goofy look considerably, but the man whose severe short-sightedness prompted some to dub him Mr. Magoo brought his old coke-bottle glasses yesterday for a lark.
And that's precisely the reason he became so revered --he was a fun-loving character amidst a sea of stone-faced Olympians.
Funny, as he, Harris and silver medal-winning skater Liz Manley all suggest their fondest Olympic memories stem from the camaraderie supplied by host Calgarians.
"I cannot forget crashing in a way so spectacular only Jamaicans can," laughed Harris of the spill documented in the movie Cool Runnings.
"Here I was failing on the biggest stage in the world, but I realized when I walked away, failure wasn't the worst thing because people cheered us on, shook our hands and told us how much they loved us and appreciated our efforts.
"I'm so grateful for that and I've traveled the world talking about Calgary."
Though the home country failed to claim gold at the Games in Calgary, Canadian medalists Karen Percy, Brian Orser, Tracy McCall and Manley were all on hand yesterday to salute the city in which they became household names.
"It was a circus, party atmosphere everywhere," said Edwards.
"I've never seen the same thing happen at any other Olympics."
Funny, the Olympics haven't seen anything like him since either.