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<\/p>\nAustralian Scotty James has made history as the first Australian to win three Winter Olympic medals, but fell heartbreakingly short of a long-awaited gold in a thrilling men\u2019s snowboard final.<\/p>\n
James was the hot favourite for the final but he suffered an early setback after falling to land the final trick in his first run. He bounced back in spectacular fashion in his second run, but his 93.50 fell short of Yuto Totsuka, the 2021 world champion, who scored a whopping 95.00 points in his second run of three. <\/p>\n
The 31-year-old, competing at his fifth Winter Olympics, looked on course to snare the gold in the final run of the night but he couldn\u2019t land his final trick, the dejected Aussie looking shattered as he slumped to the ice. <\/p>\n
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Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a> ><\/p>\n LIVIGNO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Scotty James of Team Australia falls in run three of the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe final on day seven of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 13, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesAustralia’s Scotty James reacts after his run to win the silver medal in the men’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)Source: AP<\/p>\n \u201cHe ran out of pipe because he was willing to give it everything, all that he had to gain that gold medal around his neck,\u201d former snowboard champions Torah Bright said on Channel 9 commentary, speaking through tears.<\/p>\n \u201cHeartbreak and greatness stand side by side. He was willing to risk it and he literally had it, but he ran out of pipe.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Scotty, we love you no matter what. You are the man.\u201d<\/p>\n James becomes the first Australian to win three medals at the Winter Olympics. His silver followed Josie Baff\u2019s snowboard cross gold medal earlier <\/a>on Friday \u2014 as Australia equalled their best ever Winter Olympic medal haul from 2010.<\/p>\n Silver medalist Scotty James of Team Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n James, already regarded as one of the greatest snowboarders of all-time, won his fifth-consecutive X Games title last month \u2014 and eighth overall \u2014 and is a four-time world champion. <\/p>\n But he had one mountain still left to climb having taken bronze at Pyeongchang 2018 and silver in Beijing four years ago.<\/p>\n James wiped away tears on the podium as he received his silver medal from fellow Olympian Jess Fox.<\/p>\n Japan\u2019s Ryusei Yamada took the bronze with 92.00.<\/p>\n Fellow Australian Guseli bounced back from the disappointment of crashing on his first two runs to score 88.00 with his final run, placing him fifth.<\/p>\n From left, silver medalist Australia’s Scotty James, gold medalist Japan’s Yuto Totsuka and bronze medalist Japan’s Ryusei Yamada celebrate after the men’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)Source: AP<\/p>\n Speaking to Channel 9 after the final, James declared he was \u201creally proud\u201d of his achievement, but couldn\u2019t help but feel \u201ca little bit disappointed\u201d having once again missed out on gold.\u201cIt\u2019s hard to win medals at the Games,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI have big ambitions and wanted to come away landing the run regardless of the medal, and I wasn\u2019t able to do that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is what it is, and the show goes on. The sun will rise tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cMy little boy will need me tomorrow. He won\u2019t care what medals are on my neck.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI\u2019m happy to be out here representing the country, most importantly, and to be able to win another medal is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n