Cleared for Takeoff: Reilly Flanagan’s Olympic Journey

Olympic debutant Reilly Flanagan had never heard of aerial skiing.

If it hadn’t been for the construction of the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre at the Sleeman Sports Complex, the 21-year-old would never have transitioned from gymnastics. 

Flanagan was 16 when he took up aerial skiing, after spending 10 years in gymnastics, but his jump to a different sport was serendipitous to say the least. 

The construction of the Queensland facility completed in 2020 - played a massive role in Flanagan’s destiny. 

Five years later, Flanagan has transformed from learning to ski, to Winter Olympian at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. 

“I didn’t know what aerial skiing was, like most people,” Flanagan said. 

“I don’t think I would have transitioned [from gymnastics] had they not built the ramp. If that facility wasn’t built there, I probably wouldn’t be here today.”

“At the time I was training at Sleeman Sport Complex where they now have the ramp, I was lucky and fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time - they were building it as I was in my last year of gymnastics and trying to transition over to another sport.”

Flanagan hails from Canberra, but had never tried winter sports, ironically before moving to warm Queensland. 

It’s not your typical Winter Olympics journey, but Flanagan understands that the current generation of Australian athletes are fortunate with the infrastructure and facilities that have been created for them. 

“This generation coming through are a lot more fortunate than past generations,” he said. 

“I’ve heard stories of previous athletes that had to live overseas for 10 months of the year. 

“It’s been a massive advantage in fast-tracking my career. A year after I learnt to ski, I was literally able to train after school, it has been a massive advantage for me. 

“It’s pretty strange but special at the same time, not many Queenslanders can say they are a Winter Olympian, from the outside looking in, it looks like a strange mix, but we have such a strong program coming from gymnastics in Australia.”

The transition from gymnastics to aerial skiing makes sense on paper, and is a strong foundation in the sport, but it has taken Flanagan a lot of hard work and dedication to don the green and gold. 

“We have a lot of aerial awareness, I guess it is refining those little techniques and shapes that are a little different in aerials compared with gymnastics,” he said. 

“The biggest and most obvious difference is that you have skis on, and you have three kilograms attached to your feet, which feels pretty heavy at the start.

“But you learn to adjust and become more efficient with flipping while they are on your feet, that’s the biggest change.”

As for becoming a Winter Olympian representing Australia, the 21-year-old is simply looking to be present and make the most of the opportunity. 

“I’m looking forward to the whole Olympic experience,” he said. 

“I plan to soak it all in, see what it is all about and hopefully watch my teammates doing really well, and doing Australia proud.”

The Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games gets underway from 6 February 2026 and will be shown live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now as well as StanSport.