The Winter Olympics are here, and if you’re yet to delve into the talented Aussie team competing in Beijing this year, we’ve put together this quick list to get you across the women to keep your eye on.
Australia has 44 athletes competing in the Winter Olympics in Beijing, and there are several with decent chances of bringing home medal.
Women make up 52 per cent of the team in 2022, with 23 women in total competing for Australia.
Here are some of the women to watch out for.
Laura Peel
Ariel skier Laura Peel is the reigning world champion and was selected as one of Australia’s two flag-bearers for the opening ceremony in Beijing.
Peel is a three-time world champion, and is competing at her third Winter Olympics. In the lead up to Beijing, she’s been in near perfect form, recently becoming the third woman in history to land a quadruple twisting triple backflip. Lydia Lassila and Ashley Caldwell, from the US, are the only other women to achieve it.
Jakara Anthony
Mogul skier Jakara Anthony has already topped her qualifying round, firming up her place as one Australia’s biggest gold medal hopes in Beijing.
She scored 83.75 in her qualifying round, well ahead of her international rivals Perrine Laffont from France, and Jaeline Kauf from the US.
She completed her run in 27.9 seconds, including a stunning 720-degree rotation, crossing her skis in the air.
“I’m really proud and happy with what I was able to achieve just then,” Anthony said after completing her run. “I’ve transferred really well from training to competition.”
“But there’s definitely still bits I want to keep working on and improving, which is a really great position to be in, I think. You don’t want to be going into finals day maxed out.
Catch Anthony in the final on Sunday.
Tess Coady
21-year-old Tess Coady is competing in the Snowboard Slopestyle, and is considered a medal hope off the back of her second world cup victory in Switzerland in January.
The snowboarder is taking her second shot at the Olympics, after being unable to compete in the Games as a 17-year-old due to injury. After being selected to compete at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, she tore her ACL in a training run.
Belle Brockhoff
Snowboarder Belle Brockhoff, 29, will be competing in the snowboard cross, and will also be paired with Jarryd Hughes in the mixed snowboard cross. It’ll be her third Olympics and follows two podium finishes on the World Cup circuit in the 2021-22 season. She is ranked in the top three on the standings.
