Moguls Champion Woods Claims Gold for Australia
Cooper Woods has made history by winning gold in men’s mogul skiing at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. This victory marks Australia’s first medal of the games and Woods’ monumental rise in the sport.
Unexpected Gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics
At just 25 years old, Woods entered the Olympics with no prior World Cup victories. His qualifications were shaky, finishing outside the top 10 in the first round. However, he displayed remarkable resilience, excelling in the second qualification round and securing the highest ranking for the final.
Key Competitors and Winning Score
Woods faced fierce competition from renowned skiers such as Mikael Kingsbury of Canada and Japan’s Akuma Horishima. Both are celebrated figures in the sport, making Woods’ achievement even more impressive. His final score matched Kingsbury’s at 83.71, but Woods clinched the gold medal with a superior turns score.
Background and Journey
Woods, who hails from Pambula Beach on the New South Wales coast, finished sixth in his Olympic debut at the Beijing Games. He faced challenges during the recent World Cup season, only securing a podium spot once in 2024. Reflecting on his journey, Woods stated, “I’ve struggled with self-belief… what a time to get it dialled and sorted.”
- Gold medalist: Cooper Woods
- Age: 25
- First medal for Australia at Milan-Cortina
- Previous Olympic debut: Sixth place in Beijing
- Prior World Cup podium finishes: Only once in 2024
Celebration Plans
After securing the gold, Woods expressed his pride and gratitude. He highlighted the importance of his family and friends in his success. With the dual moguls event still ahead of him, Woods plans to celebrate this milestone. “I’m probably going to have a few beers,” he said, humorously referring to his medal’s potential use as a beer coaster.
Australia’s Mogul Skiing Legacy
This victory is significant as it represents Australia’s third gold medal in mogul skiing. The previous wins were by Dale Begg-Smith in Turin 2006 and Jakara Anthony in Beijing 2022. Overall, this is Australia’s seventh gold medal in Winter Olympic history.
As Woods and his teammates prepare for more events, his recent triumph will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of skiers in Australia and beyond.
