The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina have finally arrived, and the Australian team is heading into Italy with a record-breaking mentality. After securing a historic four medals at Beijing 2022, the 53 strong Aussie squad is currently in the best form we have ever seen.
With 13 World Cup gold medals already in the bank this season, the green and gold are tipped to reach new high's on the podium. From defending champions to teenage sensations, here are the five Australian athletes you need to watch as the Games kick off.
2026 Winter Olympics Preview: Top 5 Australian Medal Hopes in Milano Cortina
1. Jakara Anthony: The Golden Girl of Moguls
Jakara Anthony is not just a medal hope; she is the most dominant athlete in her sport. Freshly named as Australia’s Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer, the defending Olympic champion has spent the last year rewriting the history books. She recently broke the record for the most World Cup wins by an Australian, and she enters Milano Cortina as the World No. 1 in both Moguls and the brand new Olympic event, Dual Moguls.
With two chances at gold this time around, Anthony is the heavy favourite to become the first Australian ever to win two gold medals at a single Winter Games.
2. Scotty James: Chasing the Elusive Halfpipe Gold
Scotty James is the veteran heart of the Australian team. Competing in his fifth Olympics, he already has a silver and a bronze medal, but he has made it very clear that he only has eyes for gold in Italy.
The 31-year-old Melbourne local enters the Games on a massive high after winning his fifth consecutive X Games title in Aspen. His technical skills and height in the pipe are legendary, and with his fierce rival Ayumu Hirano standing in his way, the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe is set to be one of the most watched events of the entire 2026 Games.
3. Indra Brown: The Teenage Freeski Sensation
At just 16 years old, Indra Brown is the youngest member of the Australian team and arguably its most exciting prospect. In her debut World Cup season, she stunned the world by taking a full set of medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, to climb to the World No. 1 ranking in Freeski Halfpipe.
Having recently taken silver at the X Games, she is the primary challenger to Chinese superstar Eileen Gu. Brown’s fearless style and massive amplitude make her a genuine podium threat and a name that will be all over the headlines in the second week of the Games.
4. Bree Walker: A Pioneer on the Bobsleigh Track
Bree Walker has officially moved from a top ten contender to a feared podium threat. After a 5th place finish in Beijing, Walker has spent the last cycle racking up 17 World Cup medals and currently sits at World No. 2 in the Monobob.
She recently took gold at the St Moritz World Cup and claimed a bronze on the actual Olympic track in Cortina during the test events. In a sport traditionally dominated by powerhouse nations like Germany and the USA, Walker is the best chance Australia has ever had to secure a medal on the ice.
5. Matt Graham: The Resilient Mogul Veteran
Joining Jakara Anthony as a Flag Bearer, Matt Graham is the definition of grit. After winning silver in 2018 and battling through a string of severe injuries, Graham has fought his way back to the top, currently ranked World No. 2 in the men's standings.
Like Anthony, Graham will benefit from the addition of Dual Moguls to the program. His tactical experience in head-to-head racing makes him a formidable opponent, and a podium finish would be the perfect reward for one of Australia's most respected winter athletes.
When to Watch: Aussie Medal Round Schedule (AEDT)
Set your alarms. Because Italy is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Daylight Time, most of the big medal moments will happen in the late evening or the early hours of the morning.
Women's Moguls Finals (Jakara Anthony): Sunday 8 February from 4:30 am
Men's Moguls Finals (Matt Graham): Monday 9 February from 4:30 am
Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Final (Scotty James): Friday 13 February from 7:00 pm
Women's Monobob Finals (Bree Walker): Sunday 15 February and Monday 16 February from 8:00 pm
Women's Freeski Halfpipe Final (Indra Brown): Sunday 22 February from 5:30 am
