Aussie moguls ace Matt Graham bags another World Cup bronze

Australian athlete Matt Graham secured a bronze medal at the Moguls Duals World Cup in Kazakhstan, contributing to a rare "dad podium" in the skiing world. This marks Graham's first podium finish of the season, celebrated alongside gold medalist and Canadian legend Mikaël Kingsbury and Japanese silver medalist Ikuma Horishima, all of whom became fathers for the first time before the 2024-25 season began. This shared experience added a unique dimension to their competitive camaraderie.

As a silver medalist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, this World Cup medal is the 27th podium finish in Graham's career. In the dual moguls competition, athletes compete in one-on-one matches, with the winner advancing. Graham defeated young South Korean Jung Daeyoon in the bronze medal match, winning with a score of 22 to 13, marking his second dual moguls podium of the season. His consistent performance highlights his skill and determination.

Kingsbury defeated Horishima in the gold medal match with a score of 21 to 14, securing his 98th World Cup victory of his career. He had previously won the gold medal in the singles moguls, but the competition was shortened due to heavy fog, and the results were reverted to the qualification stage. Graham stated, "It's great to be back on the podium. We've been working towards the 'dad podium' goal all season." This achievement was a testament to their dedication and hard work.

Cooper Woods also performed well, finishing seventh after losing to Kingsbury in the quarterfinals. Both Australian athletes reached the top eight in the singles moguls competition. The final World Cup stop will be held next weekend in Livigno, Italy, which will host the Winter Olympics in less than a year. The season will conclude at the World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, at the end of March. Reigning Olympic champion Jakara Anthony remains absent due to a fractured clavicle. Her absence is felt by the team, but they remain focused on performing at their best.

In snowboard cross, Josie Baff won her 12th World Cup medal, securing a bronze in an exciting final held in Erzurum, Turkey. On a long and challenging course, Baff had a strong start, winning her quarterfinal and finishing second in her semifinal to advance to the final. She narrowly lost to France's Léa Casta, who took silver, while Great Britain's Charlotte Bankes won gold. The competition was fierce, and Baff's performance was a testament to her skill and resilience.

"This is by far the most challenging course on the tour," said Baff, 22, from Jindabyne in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains, "The altitude was a test for a lot of us, with a base elevation of around 2500m. The course was also pretty fast, so I'm stoked to finish the day with another podium." Belle Brockhoff finished 11th in her first competition of the season after recovering from a serious arm injury, followed by Mia Clift in 13th and Amber Essex close behind. Baff will team up with Cam Bolton, who was the highest-ranked Australian in the men's competition, finishing 16th, in the team event. Their combined efforts will be crucial for a strong showing in the team event.