Australian moguls skiers Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham celebrating their historic World Cup leadership positions while wearing yellow leader bibs
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Australian Skiers Make History Leading World Cup Moguls Before Olympics

BS
BrightWire Staff
3 min read
#australian skiing #winter olympics 2026 #jakara anthony #matt graham #world cup moguls #winter sports success #olympic athletes

For the first time ever, Australian athletes are leading both the men's and women's World Cup moguls standings simultaneously. Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham are peaking at exactly the right moment, just weeks before the Winter Olympics begin.

In a thrilling display of athletic excellence, Australian moguls skiers Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham have achieved something no pair from their country has accomplished before. They're now leading both the women's and men's World Cup standings at the same time, marking a historic moment for Australian winter sports.

Anthony claimed her second World Cup victory of the season at Val Saint-Côme in Canada, showing she's in peak form heading into the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which begin February 6. The 27-year-old dominated her qualification round so convincingly that when thick fog forced officials to cancel the finals, her earlier performance was more than enough to secure gold.

"It was a different victory tonight, pretty weird competition day," Anthony said with her characteristic grace. "But having put it down in qualifications worked out for me with finals cancelled." The win brings her career total to an impressive 25 World Cup gold medals, placing her just one victory shy of Australian legend Jacqui Cooper's all-time record.

Meanwhile, Matt Graham demonstrated why he's a serious Olympic contender by earning silver in the men's competition. The 31-year-old, who won silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, finished second only to Canadian legend Mikaël Kingsbury, who was celebrating his remarkable 100th World Cup victory on home soil.

Australian Skiers Make History Leading World Cup Moguls Before Olympics

Far from being disappointed with second place, Graham showed the sportsmanship that makes this story even more uplifting. "It was huge for Mikaël to get his 100th World Cup win," Graham said warmly. "I was glad I was able to share that moment with him. We have competed against each other for a long time and shared a lot of podiums together."

The Australian teammates had been competing for the first time in a month after event cancellations, yet both proved their Christmas break did nothing to dull their competitive edge. Despite challenging conditions that included rain and significant delays, both athletes adapted brilliantly.

The Ripple Effect: This historic achievement represents more than just individual success. It's a testament to Australia's growing winter sports program and the dedication of athletes who pursue excellence in disciplines far from their sunny homeland. Anthony and Graham's simultaneous success is inspiring a new generation of Australian winter athletes and proving that geographic origin doesn't limit Olympic dreams.

"Very exciting to be back in the yellow jersey," Anthony shared enthusiastically. "Even more special to have Matt in the yellow jersey at the same time. I think that's a first for Australia." Her excitement captured the significance of this moment perfectly.

With 27 days remaining until the Milano-Cortina Games, both athletes are demonstrating championship form at exactly the right time. Graham's 29th career World Cup podium and Anthony's continued dominance suggest Australia could be celebrating more Olympic success very soon. Their journey reminds us that dedication, resilience, and mutual support create champions who lift each other higher.

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Based on reporting by ABC Australia

This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.

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