Scotty James is gearing up for a spectacular moment that could very well earn him an Olympic gold medal.
Every spectator knows that every athlete has a few tricks they've perfected, and Scotty is no exception. The talented Australian snowboarder seems to be hiding a surprise move or two, which he plans to showcase during the most significant competition of his career – the Olympics. After working tirelessly towards this goal, there’s only one thing left on his snowboarding wish list: a coveted gold medal, and with his recent performances, he seems closer than ever to achieving it. On Saturday morning (5:30 AM AEDT), James solidified his place in the men’s halfpipe final, dazzling everyone with his extraordinary skills.
"I’m aiming to execute the best run of my life," James stated confidently. "That’s what it will take to secure the win."
Regarded widely as one of the top snowboarders in the world today, James delivered an electrifying first run at Livigno Snow Park, earning an impressive score of 94.00. His performance was not just good; it set a benchmark that left him 2.75 points ahead of his closest competitor, clearly establishing him as a frontrunner for the gold.
His routine featured five consecutive double corks—each one showcasing incredible skill, as a double cork involves flipping off-axis twice within a single trick. Among these moves, he executed a switch backside 1440 Japan, demonstrating four complete rotations in a single maneuver. Remarkably, he didn’t even need to use a trick he had recently debuted at the X Games, where he won for the fifth consecutive time: a combination of switch backside 1440 into a backside 1440, a feat no other snowboarder has accomplished in competition history.
However, he might unleash that particular trick in the finals, along with some additional surprises he has been preparing. During his arrival press conference, the 31-year-old hinted at unveiling new moves, maintaining an air of mystery when asked about his preparations. "I’m keeping things under wraps for now," he remarked. "This is my fifth Olympics, and I bring a wealth of experience. I've studied how my predecessors have strategized, and I've crafted a plan of my own. We'll see how it unfolds on Friday. But you need something special for the finals, and that's exactly what I intend to deliver."
James narrowly missed out on gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where his Japanese opponent Ayumu Hirano overtook him in the final moments of the competition. This experience has evidently shaped his approach moving forward.
"I believe he's going to present tricks that no one else has seen before, but they won’t be unfamiliar to him," said fellow Australian rider Valentino Guseli, who also qualified for the medal round with a score of 86.75, placing him sixth overall.
Each competitor had two runs to impress the judges, but only their highest score would count. While James stumbled on his second attempt, he had already secured enough points to remain in a strong position. Guseli's second run fell slightly short of his first but still included a notable cab triple cork 1440 mute, a trick he hasn't landed in competition for quite a while.
In the mixed zone after the event, Guseli received praise from legendary American snowboarder Shaun White. "When Shaun White compliments your amplitude, you know you’re doing something right," he commented.
Guseli’s performance indicates he is also a serious contender for a medal, but the level of competition during the qualifiers was incredibly intense. Approximately six riders, including Hirano, who joined the ranks of those scoring over 85.00, are likely to vie for the championship.
"The finals are going to be absolutely thrilling; I believe it's going to be the greatest show ever," Guseli exclaimed. "There are perhaps two more tricks I’d like to incorporate into my run if all goes well, and if I manage them, I’ll be in a competitive position. For the first time in a long time, it feels like anyone could seize victory in the halfpipe, but Scotty has some truly remarkable moves that are hard to beat. I recognize that if I perform at my best, I could potentially contend for the top spot, but it will require exceptional riding on my part."
After the competition, James and Guseli shared a moment of camaraderie, expressing that the support they felt from fellow Australians, whether they were in Livigno or cheering from afar, was more heartwarming than ever.
"We talked about going all out in the finals to represent our country well," Guseli shared. "Hopefully, we’ll inspire more people to take up snowboarding in Australia next year; that would be amazing!"
The Winter Olympic Games will be aired on the 9Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action.
