Cooper Woods Wins Australia’s First 2026 Winter Olympics Gold in Moguls

LIVIGNO, Italy – Cooper Woods has delivered Australia its first gold medal of the February 12, 2026 Winter Olympic Games, stunning the freestyle skiing world with a victory in the men’s moguls competition at the Milano Cortina Games. The 25-year-old Australian’s triumph at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park was all the more remarkable given his relatively limited success on the FIS World Cup circuit, having only one podium finish to his name prior to Thursday’s competition.

The gold medal win wasn’t without drama. Woods matched the score of Canadian moguls icon Mikaël Kingsbury in the super final, both earning 83.71. However, the Australian secured the top spot on the podium thanks to a superior score on the turns portion of the event – a testament to his technical precision under immense pressure.

“It hasn’t really sunk in the significance,” Woods told the Nine Network, still processing the magnitude of his achievement. “I’m probably going to go home for a solid hour and sit there and figure out what’s going on.”

The Australian team enjoyed a strong showing with Matt Graham finishing fifth and Jackson Harvey eighth in the super final. Their collective performance provided a boost for the Australian contingent following the disappointment of Jakara Anthony the previous day.

Woods’ path to gold wasn’t straightforward. He needed to navigate a second-chance qualifying round on Thursday evening AEDT, which he impressively topped, setting the stage for his dominant performance in the final rounds. His initial score of 83.60 in the super final put immediate pressure on the field, forcing Kingsbury and others to respond.

Kingsbury, a perennial powerhouse in moguls skiing, was widely considered the favorite heading into the event. To be challenged – and ultimately surpassed – by Woods represents a significant moment for the Australian skier and a potential shift in the competitive landscape of the sport. The Canadian’s near miss underscores the increasingly competitive nature of freestyle moguls, where even the smallest margins can determine the difference between gold and silver.

Ikuma Horishima of Japan rounded out the podium with a score of 83.44, while Sweden’s Walter Wallberg finished just behind in fourth. The tight scoring in the super final highlights the exceptional skill level of the world’s top moguls skiers.

“I was pretty nervous up top on that last one,” Woods admitted, reflecting on the pressure of the final run. “I had a mentality to let it loose today, and then I thought, ‘This is the final round and I’m dropping last, what’s going on here?’. Then my coach Bobby dialled me in.”

This victory marks the third moguls gold medal in Winter Olympic history for Australia. Dale Begg-Smith first claimed the title in 2006, and Jakara Anthony added to the nation’s tally with a gold medal in the women’s program at the 2022 Beijing Games. Woods’ win continues Australia’s tradition of success in freestyle skiing.

The win is particularly significant as it comes early in the Milano Cortina Games, providing a strong foundation for the Australian team’s overall medal aspirations. The success of Woods, Graham, and Harvey demonstrates the depth of talent within the Australian freestyle skiing program and suggests further strong performances may be on the horizon.

The Australian team’s performance in the men’s moguls event will undoubtedly inspire further competition and excitement as the Winter Olympics continue. Woods’ unexpected victory serves as a reminder that in the world of elite sports, anything is possible, and that even relatively unknown athletes can rise to the occasion and achieve greatness on the biggest stage.