Milano Cortina 2026: Cooper Woods Delivers Australia's First Gold in Thrilling Moguls Final

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed a seismic upset on Day Six as Australian freestyle skier Cooper Woods clinched a stunning gold medal in the men's moguls. In a competition filled with dramatic twists and turns, Woods, the final competitor in the super-final, delivered a performance that etched his name into Australian Olympic history, securing the nation's first gold medal of the Games.

Woods's Golden Run: An Unexpected Triumph

As the last skier to descend in the super-final, the pressure on Cooper Woods was immense. However, the 23-year-old from Queensland showcased nerves of steel, executing a flawless run that captivated the audience and ultimately dethroned the favourites. Woods’s victory marked Australia’s seventh gold medal in the history of the Winter Olympic Games, a testament to the growing strength of Australian athletes on the global winter sports stage.

The podium was a fiercely contested affair, with Canada's Mikaël Kingsbury, a dominant force in the sport, taking silver. Japan's Ikuma Horishima secured the bronze medal, rounding out a spectacular showcase of freestyle skiing prowess. Woods’s compatriots, Matt Graham and Jackson Harvey, also put in strong performances, finishing fifth and eighth respectively in the super-final, highlighting Australia's depth in the discipline.

Australian Winter Olympic History Made

Cooper Woods's gold medal is more than just a personal triumph; it represents a significant moment for Australian winter sports. This victory propels him into an elite club of Australian Winter Olympians to have achieved the pinnacle of their sport. The win also builds on Australia's strong legacy in moguls, a discipline where the nation has consistently produced world-class talent.

Chloe Kim Denied Third Straight Gold in Snowboard Halfpipe Shocker

While Australia celebrated a golden moment, the women's snowboard halfpipe final delivered its own share of drama, culminating in a significant upset. Two-time Winter Olympic champion Chloe Kim of the United States, the overwhelming favourite to secure her third consecutive gold medal in the event, was narrowly pipped for the top spot by the prodigious talent of 17-year-old Gaon Choi of South Korea.

The final was a nail-biting affair, with challenging snowy conditions affecting many of the competitors. Choi, who had a difficult start to the final with a crash on her first run and did not finish her second, staged a remarkable comeback. In an all-or-nothing final run, she landed a spectacular score of 90.25, a performance that edged out Kim and secured her a historic gold medal.

A New Queen of the Halfpipe

Choi's victory is a landmark achievement for South Korean winter sports and signals the arrival of a new star on the global snowboarding scene. Her resilience and ability to perform under immense pressure in her final run were truly inspiring, proving that age is no barrier to Olympic greatness.

Milano Cortina 2026: The Medal Tally After Day Six

Following the thrilling events of Day Six, the medal tally at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is starting to take shape. Australia has now officially joined the medal count with Cooper Woods's gold.

Current Medal Standings (Top 10):

• Norway: 7 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze (14 total)
• Italy: 6 gold, 3 silver, 8 bronze (17 total)
• USA: 4 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze (14 total)
• Germany: 4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze (9 total)
• Sweden: 4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze (8 total)
• Switzerland: 4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze (7 total)
• Austria: 3 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze (12 total)
• France: 3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze (8 total)
• Netherlands: 3 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze (9 total)
• Japan: 2 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze (10 total)

Australia's Position:

• Australia: 1 gold (1 total)

Other nations making their mark on the medal table include South Korea (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), Czechia (1 gold, 1 silver), and Slovenia (1 gold, 1 silver). The Games continue to deliver thrilling competition and unforgettable moments, with many more events still to unfold.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are proving to be a spectacle of athletic excellence and national pride. As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on the athletes striving for Olympic glory and the new records and stories that will undoubtedly emerge.