Australian snowboarding superstar Scotty James has delivered a commanding performance on the world stage, securing a decisive victory at the Laax Open in Switzerland just weeks before the Winter Olympics.
Historic Victory for James and Oceania
In a stunning display of skill and style, the 31-year-old four-time Olympian scored a near-perfect 98.75 points on his second run to claim the top spot on the podium. This marks his fifth overall win at the prestigious Laax Open and his third consecutive victory at the venue, solidifying his dominance in the halfpipe.
The event made history for the Southern Hemisphere, as the podium was swept by Oceanic athletes for the first time in FIS World Cup history. New Zealand's Campbell Melville Ives claimed a surprise silver with a score of 91.00, while Australia's rising star, Valentino Guseli, took the bronze with 80.25 points.
Perfect Timing Ahead of Olympic Gold Quest
The win serves as a powerful statement of intent from James, who is aiming to upgrade his Olympic medals at next month's Milan-Cortina Games. He won bronze in Pyeongchang 2018 and silver in Beijing 2022, with the elusive gold medal now firmly in his sights.
"I've been working on some things and this year is a tough year. It's an amazing competition," James said after his victory. "We had two Aussies and a Kiwi on the podium which is unbelievable. The Japanese are riding amazing so you've got to put your best foot forward this year to get a sniff of the podium ... I'm pumped."
Australian Success Across Winter Sports
It was a significant day for Australian winter sports overall. In the bobsled, Bree Walker narrowly missed becoming the first Australian to win the Crystal Globe as the season's top monobob pilot.
The 33-year-old took silver in the final World Cup race in Altenberg, Germany, finishing second behind American Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries. Despite beating her main rival, Germany's Laura Nolte, in the race, Walker fell just 17 points short of the overall seasonal crown, which went to Nolte.
Walker's outstanding season, which included three World Cup wins, positions her as a strong contender for a historic gold medal at the upcoming Winter Games.
Further success came in snowboard cross at Dongbeiya, China. Australian pals Josie Baff and Adam Lambert, both from Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains, won silver and bronze in their respective finals.
Their results propelled them to the top of the World Cup standings, earning them the coveted yellow leader's bibs. "This feels like the best form of my career," said Lambert, highlighting the confidence boost ahead of the Olympic showdown.
The collective performances across multiple disciplines signal that Australia's winter athletes are hitting peak form at the perfect time, with the world's biggest sporting stage just around the corner.
