As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, commencing on 6 February, Australia is poised for a potentially historic campaign. With a 53-strong team, the nation's second-largest Winter Olympic delegation ever, there is palpable optimism that the record medal haul of four from Beijing 2022 can be eclipsed. This confidence stems from a stellar World Cup season where 11 Australian athletes secured 26 medals across seven disciplines, highlighting a depth of talent ready to shine on the global stage.
Australia's Leading Contenders for Podium Glory
Five of Australia's six medallists from the past two Games are set to return, headlined by defending moguls champion Jakara Anthony. They are among at least ten athletes with genuine podium potential, reflecting a squad brimming with experience and emerging talent. Here, we detail the key Australian medal hopes to watch as the Games unfold in Italy.
1. Jakara Anthony: Defending Champion in White-Hot Form
The reigning Olympic moguls champion aims to become the first Australian to win successive winter gold medals. Anthony arrives in peak condition, having recently become Australia's most successful World Cup skier with her 26th moguls title. Despite a broken collarbone in December 2024, the 27-year-old has recovered superbly, maintaining her world number one ranking in traditional moguls. She will also compete in the newly added dual moguls event, doubling her medal opportunities.
2. Indra Brown: Teenage Sensation on the Rise
At just 16 years old, Indra Brown has rapidly emerged as a freestyle skiing prodigy. She claimed a full set of World Cup medals—gold, silver, and bronze—in her first three halfpipe events, earning the number one ranking. Adding an X-Games superpipe silver, Brown is a formidable contender, though she faces stiff competition from dual Olympic champion Eileen Gu of China.
3. Tess Coady: Resilient Snowboarder Seeking More
Australia's youngest Winter Olympic medallist, Tess Coady, won bronze in snowboard slopestyle at Beijing 2022 despite a fractured ankle. Her career has been marked by resilience, overcoming an ACL injury at Pyeongchang 2018. Now 25, Coady is hitting form at the right time, with strong performances in World Cup and X-Games events, and will compete in both slopestyle and big air in Milano Cortina.
4. Matt Graham: Veteran Moguls Skier with Redemption in Mind
Matt Graham, a silver medallist from Pyeongchang, seeks redemption after a training injury derailed his Beijing campaign. With a World Cup gold and silver this season, he enters ranked second globally. The 31-year-old veteran brings extensive experience to his fourth Olympics, competing in both traditional and dual moguls.
5. Valentino Guseli: Versatile Snowboarder Focused on the Pipe
Valentino Guseli, who finished sixth in the halfpipe at Beijing 2022 aged 16, has since excelled across multiple disciplines. Recovering from an ACL injury in December 2024, the 20-year-old has honed his focus on the halfpipe, winning World Cup gold in Calgary and ranking second globally, positioning him as a key rival to teammate Scotty James.
6. Scotty James: Five-Time Olympian Chasing Elusive Gold
Scotty James aims to complete his medal set with a gold, having secured silver and bronze in the snowboard halfpipe at the last two Games. The 31-year-old recently made history at the X-Games with groundbreaking tricks, demonstrating his peak form. He faces competition from Guseli and Japanese riders, including injured champion Ayumu Hirano.
7. Adam Lambert: Snowboard Cross Leader in Career-Best Form
Adam Lambert broke through for his first World Cup victory on his 75th start, now heading to Milano Cortina as the world number one in snowboard cross. The 28-year-old is in career-best form for his third Olympics and will also compete in the mixed team event with Josie Baff, enhancing his medal prospects.
8. Laura Peel: Aerials Veteran Seeking Olympic Breakthrough
At 36, Laura Peel is likely competing in her final Olympics, chasing a long-awaited medal. A two-time world champion and former world number one, she has World Cup gold this season with a triple-twisting somersault. With fifth-place finishes at the last two Games, Peel dreams of a fairytale ending in Milano Cortina.
9. Danielle Scott: Experienced Aerials Skier with Renewed Form
Danielle Scott, like Peel, is a fourth-time Olympian seeking her first Olympic medal. The 35-year-old has a strong track record, including back-to-back aerials crystal globe titles. She recently returned to form with World Cup gold and bronze, positioning her as a podium threat in Italy.
10. Bree Walker: Strong Gold Medal Prospect in Monobob
Bree Walker is one of Australia's top gold medal hopes, ranking second globally in monobob after winning five World Cup medals this season, including three golds. The 33-year-old pilot, inspired by Jana Pittman, aims to improve on her fifth-place finish from Beijing 2022 and will also compete in the two-woman event with Desi Johnson.
With this diverse and talented group, Australia is set for an exciting Winter Olympics, potentially marking a new chapter in the nation's winter sports history. The stage is set for these athletes to deliver glory and perhaps shatter records in Milano Cortina.
