Anthony set for historic crack at Olympic title defence
Murray Wenzel |
Jakara Anthony only has to look across the room for proof the sport she dominated has progressed while she sat out injured.
But, 100 days out from the Winter Olympics and Anthony’s crack at a title defence in Italy, the Australian moguls queen is poised to reclaim her crown.
The 27-year-old won gold in Beijing, then dominated the World Cup circuit before breaking her collarbone in December last year.
The Cairns-born champion will leave for the European season and Games qualification on Monday.
Anthony is seeking to become the first Australian to defend a Winter Olympic title at the Milano Cortino showpiece next February, when dual moguls makes a Games debut and creates the prospect of double gold.
“Getting back on the snow … there’s a lot of fear around just going and doing everything for the first time again,” Anthony said after training in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“But the injury’s all good; it’s back in one piece and no issues with it now.
“That chapter’s done.”
In Anthony’s absence, French skier and 2018 Olympic gold medallist Perrine Laffont was world champion and 20-year-old Charlotte Wilson became just the third Australian women to win a World Cup moguls event.
In just her 10th outing, Wilson beat Laffont and American world No.1 Jaelin Kauf on the way to claiming the dual moguls trophy on the site of next year’s Games in Livigno.
“It was cool to see how competitive the top end of the women’s field was,” Anthony said of the last World Cup season.
“Maybe there’s a bit more depth. It’s cool to push each other to go that step further, progress the sport and it’s progressed way further than I thought it would in my time.”
The Australian pair have never met in a competitive dual moguls race, but Wilson admits the prospect of a Livigno match-up has crossed her mind.
“It would be pretty exciting … it’s all a learning curve but I’ve proven that anything can happen,” she said.
“It’s so inspirational having an Australian woman as the best in the world.
“It puts confidence into the program; knowing you’re in the right place … knowing I could be there too.”
Australia’s Olympic team, expected to exceed 50, will be finalised in January.
There is optimism Australia can eclipse Beijing’s best Games haul of one gold, two silver and one bronze.
Scotty James (snowboard), Laura Peel (aerials), Matt Graham, Cooper Woods (moguls), Bree Walker (bobsled), Danielle Scott (aerials) and Josie Baff (snowboard cross) have recently been on the World Cup podium.
“We aren’t really considered underdogs by the rest of the world anymore,” Australia’s chef de mission and former aerials gold medallist Alisa Camplin-Warner said.
“We are respected and ones to watch.”
AAP
