URGENT UPDATE: Australian skier Jakara Anthony has made a stunning start to her quest for back-to-back gold medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Earlier today, Anthony led the women’s moguls qualifiers in Livigno, achieving a top score of 81.65 and securing her spot directly in the finals, scheduled for January 18, 2026, at 12:15 AM AEDT.
With her impressive performance, Anthony demonstrated unmatched speed and precision, executing flawless jumps with ease. “It felt pretty tidy,” she remarked, solidifying her reputation as the skier to beat in this event.
As the defending Olympic champion, Anthony will be aiming to make history by being the first Australian to win consecutive gold medals. To manage her pre-final nerves, she plans on immersing herself in distractions, including watching her favorite show, Grey’s Anatomy. “No spoilers, I’ve watched it through. This is the third time around,” she said, highlighting her commitment to mental preparation.
The atmosphere in Livigno is electric, with a large contingent of supporters rallying behind her. Friends and family have donned custom jerseys emblazoned with ‘Australia’ and ‘Jakara’, creating a vibrant backdrop for her Olympic journey. “I could hear them up the top,” she said, reflecting on the unique camaraderie among her fans.
In a strong showing for Australia, fellow competitors Emma Bosco and Charlotte Wilson will also compete in the finals after finishing 17th and 28th, respectively. In the men’s qualifiers, Matt Graham claimed 10th place, just edging into the finals by 0.46 points above the cutoff.
Graham, who previously secured a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, expressed mixed feelings about his performance today. “Not my best,” he admitted, but remains focused on improvement as he seeks redemption.
Other Australian male skiers, including Cooper Woods, Harvey Jackson, and George Murphy, will need to navigate a second qualification round on Thursday. Jackson, who moved to Australia from Colorado, voiced his pride in representing his new country. “It feels really good to be able to call myself an Olympian, finally,” he said, reflecting on his challenging journey back to competition after an ACL injury.
As the Winter Olympic Games unfold, all eyes will be on Anthony as she prepares for the finals. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable. The Winter Olympics will be broadcasted on the 9Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport.
Stay tuned for more updates as the competition progresses. The world is watching!
