Australia’s hopes for a record medal haul at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have been dashed so far, with the team still searching for its first podium finish after almost a week of competition. Defending gold medallist Jakara Anthony was the latest near-miss, falling in the moguls final after dominating qualifying and the first round.
The 27-year-old flag-bearer expressed disappointment after her error in the all-or-nothing final run left her last among eight finalists. Her result symbolises Australia’s struggles in the Italian Alps, where injuries have plagued the squad. Aerials veteran Laura Peel suffered a significant knee injury before the Games, while skier Daisy Thomas and snowboarders Cam Bolton and Misaki Vaughan were also sidelined by training accidents.
Despite several near misses, including Val Guseli’s narrow loss in the men’s big air and Tess Coady’s seventh-place finish in the women’s event, Australia has yet to secure a medal. The team’s best hope now rests on Scotty James, who qualified top for the snowboard halfpipe final and has drawn praise from American legend Shaun White.
Australia’s medal tally has grown at every Games since 1994, reaching a record four medals at Beijing 2022. Chef de mission Alisa Camplin highlighted the team’s depth, with 11 athletes winning World Cup medals recently. However, many athletes rely on fundraising, with 16-year-old Indra Brown raising nearly $31,000 and bobsledder Sarah Blizzard $21,000.
The team’s upward trajectory as a winter sports nation remains intact, but the current drought underscores the challenges of competing at the highest level. With events like dual moguls and halfpipe still to come, Australia hopes to end its medal wait before the Games conclude.
