Josie Baff and Scotty James created history for Australia at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday night, winning gold and silver respectively. It marked the first time in 102 years of Winter Olympics history that Australia has won a gold and silver on the same day.
Australia’s previous best was gold for Jakara Anthony and bronze for Tess Coady on the same day four years ago in Beijing. Baff surged to a stunning victory in the women’s snowboard cross event, winning Australia’s second gold of the Milano Cortina Games.
But many thought it should have been three gold for Australia when James had to settle for silver in the men’s half-pipe. James produced a superb second run in Friday night’s final, and commentators appeared to be expecting him to be first after the judges scored it. He nailed a switch backside 1440 directly into a backside 1440, making him the only rider in the competition to complete the elite-level sequence.
Josie Baff won gold for Australia, but Scotty James had to settle for silver in the half-pipe. Image: Getty
But a 93.50 flashed up on the scoreboard, which wasn’t enough to overtake Yuto Totsuka’s 95 in first place. James looked visibly shocked that his run didn’t earn a higher score, putting his hands to his head in disbelief.
Channel 9 commentator Mitch Tomlinson had said before the score came through: “Some runs make the highlight reel but some runs create history. Scotty James has just delivered a TKO!” Unfortunately it wasn’t the TKO that was predicted, and James had to settle for second place.
The Aussie star had one last chance to take the lead in his third and final run after Totsuka stumbled. James started his third attempt on fire, but also crashed while trying to land his final trick.
Tomlinson said James appeared on track to snatch the gold if he’d stayed upright. “He was having an unbelievable run and most times that would collect the gold medal,” the commentator said.
Scotty James was gutted after crashing in his third run.
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)
Scotty James (L) won his third Winter Olympics medal.
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)Did Scotty James deserve the gold medal?
James’ silver medal makes him the first Australian to win three medals at the Winter Olympics, after he got bronze in 2018 and silver in 2022. But many were left wondering whether he was hard done-by on Friday night and should have won his first gold.
One person wrote online: “Scotty James you were robbed of gold with that second run but a third Olympic medal is so good.” Another wrote: “There’s just no way you only gave Scotty James a 93 for that.”
A third commented: “Scotty James deserved gold. NO ONE is going switch backside like him.” While another added: “Actually gutted for Scotty. He was genuinely robbed.”
James was classy in his response, paying tribute to his Japanese opponents. However he admitted he was disappointed not to get the gold. “I’m holding back the tears a little bit. I’m sorry to everyone back home. I wanted to win it for Australia. It sounds silly to apologise for winning an Olympic medal, but I came here knowing what I wanted to achieve.”
Torah Bright said in commentary: “I am shedding tears with you, Scotty, because you have just made history. This is not the destiny you wanted, but an Olympic silver medal around your neck, you’re doing us all proud. Three Olympic medals.”
Josie Baff wins gold for Australia in snowboard cross
Earlier on Friday, Baff doubled Australia’s Olympic gold medal haul by storming to a superb victory. The 23-year-old became the first Australian woman to medal in the snowboard cross event, winning gold just 24 hours after Cooper Woods’ triumph in the moguls.
Josie Baff celebrates after crossing the finish-line first.
(Getty Images)
It’s the first time since Vancouver in 2010 that Australia has won two golds at one Winter Games. “I actually grew up doing surf lifesaving and Cooper was doing that as well so I saw him a lot down in Pambula and I know him and his family super well,” Baff said. “Seeing that yesterday definitely sparked a little fire in me and I thought if he can do it I can do it too.”