Ski & Snowboard Australia athletes headline 2018 Australian Winter Olympic Team

Ski and Snowboard Australia (SSA) has nominated more than 30 athletes to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which kick off in just over two weeks.

The AOC today announced the ski and snowboard athletes that will make up the majority of the Australian Olympic team. For full AOC team announcement click here. 

SSA CEO, Michael Kennedy, said the depth of talent nominated gives Australian fans every reason to be optimistic in PyeongChang.

“This is one of our most well credentialed teams, with more athletes heading into the Olympic Games with World Cup and international medals under their belt than ever before,” said Kennedy.

“Of course they now have the biggest challenge ahead of them, with the Olympic Games a different level of competition all together. We are very much looking forward to the stories that will unfold in just over two weeks’ time.

“Our athletes have worked very hard for the opportunity to line up at the Games and I believe they are as well prepared as they can be. We are really pleased with how preparations have gone and congratulate our own coaches together with our high performance partners OWIA, NSWIS and the VIS for the work they have done over the four years since Sochi.

“The team is well balanced with many veterans once again ready to represent Australia in the ultimate sporting contest. It’s remarkable to see Lydia Lassila line up for her fifth Olympic Games and will head into PyeongChang in great form. She leads a strong aerial skiing contingent who have been consistently achieving podium results over the past 4 years and will no doubt be in the mix once again.

“It is also pleasing to once again see the next generation of talent emerge as leaders. Olympic 'veterans” Britt Cox and Scotty James, who despite their young age will line up at their third Olympic Games. 

“And then there are the Olympic debutants who are rapidly making a name for themselves on the international stage including Adam Lambert, Tess Coady, and Jakara Anthony.

“The 2018 Winter Olympic Games are back in the same time zone as Australia and we are looking forward to following all our athletes in PyeongChang across the Channel 7 network,” he said.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Champion and Sochi 2014 bronze medallist Lassila has been part of this rise and is just as excited to be lining up at her fifth Games as she was her first.

The 36-year-old mother of two has overcome so much adversity throughout her career but has continually bounced back to the top of the sport and now heads into PyeongChang having twice landed on the podium at last weekend’s Lake Placid World Cup events.

“I never dreamed of going to five Olympics or having a career this long,” said Lassila.

“I’ve learned so much about myself, endured set backs and celebrated the victories.

“I love my sport, I love my country and that’s what has kept me coming back.”

Fellow podium regulars Britt Cox and Scotty James both head to PyeongChang as World Champions and will no doubt be looking to help Australia continue its run of six straight Winter Games with an Olympic medal.

“Representing your country at the Olympic games is a very special feeling, so I’m really excited to be named on the Aussie Team,” said Cox.

“Australia has such a rich Olympic history both in summer and winter sports, so to be part of that legacy is a huge honour. I’m really inspired by the culture that exists within this Aussie team, we all push, encourage and inspire one another and that fuels me within my own personal sporting goals.”

James, who competes in his boxing kangaroo gloves, is equally pumped to be part of the Australian Team that has so many world-class athletes.

“With respect to the two previous Teams that I have been selected on, I think that this Team promises so much not only in PyeongChang but into the future,” James said.

“We have many athletes doing really amazing things, who are competitive on the world stage almost every week of the season and the standard of their preparation just gets better.”

The first Australian athletes to compete will be the moguls men and women who line up in the qualifications in the final hours before the Opening Ceremony kicks off on February 9.

There is the possibility that Australia will receive extra quota places in freestyle skiing (men’s moguls and men’s ski cross) and women’s cross country. If that is the case those athletes will be added to the team prior to the end of the week.

The selection of athletes to this Team is subject to appeal. It should be noted that any appeal is on the basis of the non-nomination of the appealing athlete and not an appeal against an individual who has been selected. The selection of some athletes is also pending medical clearance.

Australian Olympic Team 

*Subject to medical clearance.