jakara anthony

Jakara Anthony: Australia's Mogul Queen Aiming for Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics

As the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins, Australian sports fans are turning their attention to the snow-capped peaks of Italy. Among the standout athletes representing the green and gold is mogul skier Jakara Anthony. The 26-year-old from the Gold Coast has established herself as one of the most dominant forces in freestyle skiing, and her campaign for Olympic glory is a story of grit, technical mastery, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

This article explores Jakara Anthony’s journey, her standing in the lead-up to the 2026 Games, and the broader context of Australia's winter sports ambitions.

The Main Narrative: From Coolangatta to the World Stage

Jakara Anthony’s path to the pinnacle of winter sports is a testament to the " Aussies can do anything" spirit. Growing up in Queensland, far from the snowy slopes of the European Alps, her journey began with water ramp training before transitioning to the demanding world of competitive mogul skiing.

Anthony first announced herself on the global stage with a fifth-place finish at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. However, it was in the lead-up to the 2022 Beijing Games that she truly hit her stride. She secured a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships and consistently podiumed on the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup circuit, establishing herself as a genuine gold medal contender.

While the 2022 Olympics resulted in a fourth-place finish—a bitter pill for an athlete of her caliber—it fueled her determination. Now, with the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, Anthony is not just returning; she is returning as a veteran leader of the Australian winter sports team.

Recent Updates: The Road to Milano Cortina 2026

The buzz surrounding Australian winter sports is building as the 2026 Games approach. According to recent reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Herald Sun, the focus is squarely on the performance of Australian athletes, with mogul skiing being a key discipline.

The Moguls Campaign

In a recent coverage of the upcoming games, the ABC highlighted the commencement of the "moguls campaign" for Australian skiers. The report underscores the strategic importance of mogul skiing for Australia’s medal hopes. Unlike alpine skiing, which relies on pure speed, mogul skiing is judged 50% on speed and 50% on technique and aerial maneuvers. This dual requirement plays to Australia's strengths, given the country's robust aerial skiing legacy, which has paved the way for technical mogul skiers like Anthony.

The Herald Sun has also identified mogul skiing as "must-watch action" for Australians. The outlet notes that while ice hockey and figure skating draw casual viewers, the technical brilliance of mogul skiing offers a unique thrill. The report emphasizes that athletes like Anthony are the ones who bridge the gap between traditional winter powerhouses and Australia’s niche excellence.

A Leader Among Peers

A report by Marie Claire titled "Five Female Athletes Leading Australia At The 2026 Winter Olympics" places Anthony in the spotlight. The article highlights her role not just as a competitor but as a mentor and figurehead for the team. It notes her evolution from a promising junior to a mature athlete who balances the intense physical demands of the sport with the mental resilience required to compete at the highest level.

These verified reports confirm that Anthony is currently in peak training condition, focusing on refining her "air drag" and "line selection"—critical factors in minimizing time on the course while maximizing score potential.

Contextual Background: The Evolution of Winter Sports in Australia

To understand Jakara Anthony’s significance, one must look at the broader landscape of Australian winter sports. Historically, Australia has punched well above its weight in the Winter Olympics, particularly in freestyle skiing disciplines.

From Water Ramps to the Podium

Australia lacks natural snow facilities for year-round training, necessitating a unique training ecosystem. Athletes like Anthony spend their off-seasons in places like Brisbane’s Sleeman Sports Complex, utilizing water ramps to practice aerial flips and landings in a controlled environment. This unconventional approach has proven highly effective.

Australia’s freestyle skiing legacy was built on the back of aerial skiers like Alisa Camplin and Lydia Lassila. Mogul skiing, which requires similar aerial awareness combined with high-speed downhill navigation, has been the natural progression. Anthony represents the modern era of this evolution—a skier who is as technically precise on the bumps as she is graceful in the air.

The Stakeholders

The primary stakeholders in Anthony’s journey include Ski and Snowboard Australia, the national governing body, and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The AIS has invested heavily in high-performance programs that provide athletes with access to world-class coaching, sports science, and psychological support.

Culturally, Anthony’s presence is significant. As a female Indigenous athlete (her heritage is Kalkadoon), she serves as an inspiration for diversity in a sport traditionally dominated by athletes from snowy regions. Her visibility helps broaden the appeal of winter sports to Australians from all backgrounds, reinforcing the idea that the Winter Olympics are not just for the "snowy" states.

Immediate Effects: The Impact on the Australian Sports Landscape

Jakara Anthony’s campaign for gold in 2026 is having tangible effects right now, well before the opening ceremony.

Media Attention and Sponsorship

As noted by the Herald Sun and Marie Claire, Anthony is drawing significant media attention. This visibility is crucial for winter sports in Australia, a country where summer sports like cricket and AFL dominate the landscape. High-profile athletes like Anthony help secure sponsorship deals and funding for niche sports, ensuring that the pipeline of talent—from the water ramps of Queensland to the slopes of Europe—remains active.

The "Next Gen" Effect

Anthony’s success is directly influencing the next generation of skiers. Australian ski resorts, such as those in the Victorian Alps, are seeing increased interest in mogul skiing programs. Young athletes look at Anthony’s trajectory—training in Brisbane, competing in Europe, and winning on the world stage—and see a viable path for their own careers.

National Pride and Engagement

The ABC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sport. For Australians, watching a Queenslander carve through moguls on a frozen mountain provides a unique sense of national pride. It challenges the stereotype of the "sunburnt country" and highlights the versatility of Australian athletes.

Future Outlook: What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond

Looking ahead to the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, the outlook for Jakara Anthony and Australian mogul skiing is bright, though fraught with challenges.

The Competitive Landscape

The field of mogul skiing is deeper than ever. Athletes from Canada, the USA, Japan, and France are consistently posting world-record scores. Anthony’s primary rivals include the Canadian duo of reigning Olympic champion Marielle Thompson and the technical specialist Justine Dufour-Lapointe.

To secure gold, Anthony must execute clean runs that combine speed scores in the high 80s with technical scores that showcase her mastery of the "buck" (the main jump). Her signature move, a corked 720-degree spin, remains one of the most difficult tricks in the sport when executed with the required amplitude and landing stability.

Strategic Implications

The strategic focus for the Australian team will be on mental preparation. In mogul skiing, a difference of 0.01 seconds can change a medal color. The AIS sports psychologists are working closely with Anthony to ensure she can handle the pressure of the Olympic stage, particularly after the disappointment of Beijing 2022.

Beyond 2026

At 26, Anthony is in the prime of her athletic career. If the 2026 Games do not result in gold, she has the physical capability to push through to the 2030 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. However, the 2026 Games are widely viewed as her best opportunity to claim the top spot.

The broader future of Australian winter sports relies on this performance. A gold medal—or even a podium finish—would likely trigger a surge in funding and participation, similar to the "Camplin effect" of the early 2000s.

Interesting Facts About Jakara Anthony

• Water Ramp Training: Unlike European skiers who have access to glaciers year-round, Anthony spends roughly half her year training on water ramps in Queensland, using a plastic "pond" with an airbag landing to simulate snow conditions.
• Academic Excellence: Anthony holds a degree in Biomedical Science, balancing her rigorous training schedule with university study—a testament to her discipline off the slopes.
• The "Anthony" Flip: While not officially named after her, her unique take on the corked 720 has become a signature move that judges reward highly for difficulty and execution.
• Indigenous Heritage: Anthony is proud of her Kalkadoon