Quick Read
- Danielle Scott won a silver medal in women’s aerials at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
- This is Scott’s first Olympic medal in her fourth Winter Games appearance.
- She executed a Back Full-Full-Full jump, scoring 102.17 in the Super Final.
- China’s Xu Mengtao won gold (112.90), and Shao Qi (China) took bronze (101.90).
- The event was postponed by 24 hours due to a heavy snowstorm in Livigno.
LIVIGNO (Azat TV) – Veteran Australian aerial skier Danielle Scott clinched a silver medal in the women’s aerials final at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, securing her first Olympic podium finish in her fourth appearance at the Games. The 35-year-old’s remarkable performance in Livigno delivered Australia its sixth medal of the current Games and marked a significant personal breakthrough after years of dedication and close calls.
Scott’s silver medal is particularly poignant as it comes exactly 24 years to the day after Australia’s Winter Olympic Chef de Mission, Alisa Camplin-Warner, won her aerials gold in Torino, becoming Australia’s first woman Winter Olympic champion. Camplin-Warner, who inspired Scott’s Olympic dream, was among the first to congratulate her in Livigno, visibly overcome with joy.
Scott’s Path to Aerials Silver
The path to the podium was not without its challenges, as the aerials competition was postponed for 24 hours due to a heavy snowstorm blanketing the Italian Alps valley. Despite the delay, Scott brought her best form to the event, looking formidable from qualifications through to the finals.
In the final round, Scott executed an immaculate Back Full-Full-Full jump, a triple somersault with three twists, scoring 117.19 in her first run to advance directly to the Super Final with the highest score of the day. In the high-stakes Super Final, where scores were reset and six jumpers vied for medals, Scott performed another Back Full-Full-Full, landing with a slight hand touch but still securing a score of 102.17. This was enough to place her second, just behind defending Olympic champion Xu Mengtao of China, who earned gold with a score of 112.90. China’s Shao Qi took the bronze medal with 101.90 points.
Scott’s performance was a testament to her experience and resilience. Her previous best Olympic finish was ninth at the Sochi 2014 Games, making this silver medal a culmination of years of relentless effort. Following her final jump, Scott was visibly emotional, rushing to supporters with tears in her eyes as she realized her long-held Olympic dream. Her ecstatic reaction was shared by her coach and the Australian delegation, highlighting the personal significance of the achievement.
Australia’s Medal Haul and Team Performance
Danielle Scott’s silver medal contributes to what is already a historic Games for Australia. It is the nation’s sixth medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Other Australian medalists at these Games include Cooper Woods (Men’s Moguls, gold), Jakara Anthony (Women’s Dual Moguls, gold), Josie Baff (Women’s Snowboard Cross, gold), Scotty James (Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe, silver), and Matt Graham (Men’s Dual Moguls, bronze).
In the same women’s aerials event, fellow Australian Abbey Willcox also qualified for Final 1, finishing 10th overall and narrowly missing a spot in the Super Final. Another Australian competitor, Airleigh Frigo, finished 22nd on her Olympic debut after struggling with landings.
The Australian aerials team had reportedly prepared for potential delays and adverse conditions, with coach Renee McElduff stating they practised for such scenarios during training. This preparation proved crucial, allowing the athletes to adapt to the postponed competition and perform under pressure.
Danielle Scott’s silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics not only marks a career-defining moment for the seasoned athlete but also reinforces Australia’s growing prowess in winter sports, particularly in aerial skiing, building on a legacy established decades prior.