Aussie Ski Stars to Lead Nation at Closing Ceremony
Livigno, Italy – Australian moguls sensation Cooper Woods and aerials ace Danielle Scott have been selected as the flagbearers for Australia at the closing ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This prestigious honour caps off what has been the nation’s most successful Winter Games campaign to date, with the pair set to lead a jubilant Australian contingent into the historic Verona Arena.
Woods, a 25-year-old moguls skier with a larrikin spirit, has seen his world transform in the past week following his Olympic gold medal triumph. He openly admitted to “giving back to the economy” of Livigno by indulging in some well-deserved celebrations in the picturesque ski resort town, embracing his newfound status as a champion.
Scott, an aerials silver medallist, accepted the flagbearer honour just hours after a heroic performance in the mixed team aerials event. She narrowly missed out on securing a seventh medal for Australia, pushing the team desperately close with a personal best score of 120.20 for a flawless back-triple-full. This incredible effort propelled the three-skier team into an unlikely final.
A Games of Unprecedented Success
The Australian team at Milano Cortina 2026 has consistently exceeded expectations, rewriting the history books with their remarkable performances. Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin expressed immense pride in the athletes’ achievements, describing the Games as a period where the team “humbly rewrote the history books” and “lifted the baseline and set a new standard for what’s possible when everyone unites and works together as one.”
While a second aerials medal would have been the perfect conclusion to Australia’s campaign, the sheer effort involved in reaching the four-team final left Camplin visibly moved. The mixed team, comprising Scott, Abbey Willcox, and Reilly Flanagan, fought valiantly against powerhouses like the USA, China, and Switzerland for a podium finish.
Despite Scott’s exceptional performance, the final proved challenging. Willcox encountered a landing mishap, posting a score of 66.86, which, coupled with Flanagan’s scoring ceiling due to the absence of a triple jump in his repertoire, ultimately placed Australia in fourth position.
Honoured Athletes and Future Prospects
The selection of Woods and Scott as flagbearers acknowledges their outstanding contributions and the spirit they bring to the Australian Winter Olympic team. Camplin highlighted that while many athletes delivered exceptional performances, Woods and Scott embody the team’s ethos of authenticity and individuality.
“In Danielle and Cooper, we have two athletes that did it their way,” Camplin stated. “They got to be themselves, and our system allowed them to be who they were, and their magic shined. I hope every kid in Australia will see that as they carry our flag into the ceremony.”
The decision to select Woods and Scott also considered previous flagbearers and the future potential of other athletes. Dual moguls gold medallist Jakara Anthony, now Australia’s sole two-time Olympic champion, and Matt Graham, who added a dual moguls bronze to his Pyeongchang silver, served as flagbearers at the opening ceremony, making them ineligible for the closing. Scotty James, a past flagbearer, and 23-year-old snowboard cross gold medallist Josie Baff, who is expected to compete in multiple future Games, were also considered.
A Momentous Honour for Woods and Scott
Both Woods and Scott expressed their profound honour and surprise at being chosen. Camplin orchestrated a clever ruse, arranging a photo opportunity with the Olympic rings before revealing the exciting news.
“We both got, like, conned into just getting some photos done on the rings, you know, and then she surprised us and announced it then, so it was really cool,” Scott recounted.
Woods echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of carrying the flag for his country. “This is, it’s one of the best things you can do in sport is wave that flag for your country, so it’s super exciting,” he said, adding that the honour means “more than the medals, all the glory and fame.”
For Scott, a four-time Olympian at 35, this Games has been the most rewarding of her career. “Yeah, it’s an absolute privilege,” she shared. “I think for me personally, these Games have just gone the best it could have, and the icing on the cake now is being given this opportunity, and to represent such a successful winter team is unbelievable.”
The closing ceremony will take place at the iconic Verona Arena on Monday, commencing at 6:30 am AEDT. Australians will tune in to witness Woods and Scott lead a team that has achieved unprecedented success on the world stage.
