In a remarkable achievement, Jakara Anthony has etched her name in the annals of Australian sports history by becoming the most successful skier in World Cup events, having just clinched her 26th moguls title at Waterville Valley in the United States.
At just 27 years old, Anthony is not only setting records but is also gearing up to defend her Olympic title in Milan-Cortina next month, showcasing an impressive performance that marked her third World Cup victory this season. This latest triumph elevates her above another celebrated athlete, Jacqui Cooper, an aerials skier from Victoria, placing Anthony at the top of the all-time Australian World Cup rankings.
Originally scheduled for earlier, the event faced a 24-hour delay due to adverse weather conditions. However, when the competition resumed, Anthony delivered a swift and flawless run during the medal round, impressively executing a cork seven and a backflip mute grab, which earned her a stellar score of 81.17. Notably, she was the only female competitor to surpass the 80-point mark in this event. Elizabeth Lemley from the U.S. took home the silver with a score of 78.12, while fellow American Olivia Giaccio secured the bronze with 76.60 points.
After missing last year’s competitions due to a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, 19-year-old Lemley has remarkably rebounded, achieving her second consecutive podium finish this season.
Reflecting on her success, Anthony remarked, "I guess I have a good track record here now," referring to her previous double victory at Waterville last season. She continued, "It hasn't been the easiest competition this month, and the season's been a bit unpredictable, so I'm just incredibly excited to have completed several clean runs. It feels great to wrap up the World Cup season on such a high note before taking a break until the next one."
Another Australian competitor, Charlotte Wilson, finished in 13th place.
In the men's event, Japan's Ikuma Horishima played it safe amidst icy conditions, yet his strategy paid off as he secured the win with a score of 85.56. Following him was Sweden's Filip Gravenfors, who earned second place with 80.54 points, while Shota Hirayama, also from Japan, celebrated his first-ever podium finish in third place with a score of 79.47.
Australian skier Matt Graham, who shared the yellow bib with Anthony as the overall rankings leader, finished in 16th position, while Cooper Woods placed 22nd.
Horishima expressed his feelings about the final rounds, saying, "I was a little nervous for the finals since the conditions were quite challenging. I wasn't able to execute a double full in the top air. However, it's wonderful to share the podium with another Japanese skier, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more successes to come."
As we celebrate Anthony's historic accomplishment, it's worth pondering: what does this mean for the future of Australian skiing? Will her success inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue their dreams on the slopes? Feel free to share your thoughts below!
