Rookies rise as veterans lead: a united moguls team ready for the Italian challenge
Published Sat 07 Feb 2026
Courtesy Australian Olympic Team
Australia’s seven-strong Moguls Team features four Olympic debutants. But despite the youth in the squad, the collective experience is immense: six Olympic appearances, two Olympic medals, and more than 75 World Cup podiums.
With an average age of 24, it’s a team buzzing with a blend of energy, hunger, and wisdom, guided by two of Australia’s most decorated winter athletes — and now Milano Cortina 2026 Flag Bearers — Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham.
Anthony, 27, enters her third Games ranked world number one, with more World Cup gold medals than any other Australian (26 in total) and looking to defend her Olympic gold medal from Beijing 2022.
Graham joins an elite cohort of Australians to compete at four Olympic Games, carrying with him a silver medal from PyeongChang 2018 and an impressive 29 World Cup podiums from 119 starts
Twelve years on from his Olympic debut, Graham’s advice to the rookies in his team is to slow down and be present in the moments.
“My advice is to soak it all in, just take it day-by-day,” he said.
“There’s going to be a lot of challenges and it’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster, so just soak it in and enjoy the moment. There’s going to be more Olympics ahead of them I believe, so to walk away from here happy, and healthy and confident going into their next Olympic quad is the advice I’d pass on.”
As he prepares for his fourth Games, Graham says he’s learned how to manage the “hype and anticipation” that builds around the Olympics.
“As you go through multiple Olympic campaigns, you learn to deal with it in better ways, so I feel like I’m a little more level-headed than I was during my first Olympics.
“But after Beijing, having my family and friends here this time is going to be really special.”
Cooper Woods, heading into his second Olympic Games, burst onto the scene in Beijing, qualifying for the super final and finishing an impressive sixth on debut. With that experience behind him, he’s taking Graham’s advice to heart.
“I am really looking forward to trying to slow everything down,” the 25-year-old said.
“It’s been a hectic four years for me coming off the last Games. That experience was so mind blowing – I felt like a bit of a deer in the headlights.
“So, to be able to slow everything down, enjoy the people around me, enjoy the training, the course, the culture, the food, the people, I really want to take it all in and walk away with a smile on my face.”
Following the announcement of Jakara and Matt as the 2026 Flag Bearers, Woods said it was a testament to their incredible work ethic that makes them fantastic leaders – not only for the Moguls team – but for the entire 2026 Winter Olympic Team.
“I know how hard they both work, day in and day out, 365 days of the year,” he said.
“I am so proud of my teammates – both Matt and Jakara – on achieving this great thing that all Australian athletes want to achieve… and I can’t wait to walk behind them [in the Opening Ceremony] and represent Australia.”
Joining them are four Olympic rookies: George Murphy (22), Jackson Harvey (23), Emma Bosco (23), and Charlotte Wilson (20); each eager to absorb as much as they can from their veteran teammates.
Murphy said Graham’s mentorship was central to helping him qualify for his first Olympic team.
“Matt has been a big part of the reason I’ve been able to get here,” he said.
“During the qualification period, Matt’s been a great mentor for courses and reviewing video and I’ve been trying to capitalise on his experience to help me get here.
“He’s talked to me about how the Games work, the experiences, the crowd and the process… he’s been great.”
Together, Australia’s moguls squad represents every stage of the Olympic journey – from defending champions to first-time dreamers. What unites them is a commitment to supporting each other, to the sport they love and the rare opportunity to represent their nation.
The Men’s and Women’s Moguls competition will be held in Livigno from Wednesday 9 February — watch the Winter Olympics on Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport.
