Joining the second largest Australian Winter Olympic Team are seven VIS athletes across aerial skiing, snowboarding and speed skating, including three making their Olympic debuts.
“My hopes and dreams I think are pretty obvious at this point. I’d love to stand on top of the podium at an Olympics. I’d say it’s one of the last milestones in my career that I want to accomplish,” said James.
Australia’s largest-ever aerial skiing contingent for a Winter Olympics consists of five VIS athletes. Competing at their fourth Games and headlining the aerials team is last season’s Crystal Globe winner, Laura Peel, and 2025 World Championship bronze medallist, Danielle Scott.
Both athletes have claimed recent World Cup victories and are strong medal contenders for Italy.
Abbey Willcox, Airleigh Frigo and Reilly Flanagan will all make their Olympic debut. Flanagan will join Peel and Scott in the Mixed Team Aerials event – the first time Australia will contest the discipline at a Winter Olympics.
“It is the best feeling in the world,” said Scott of her fourth Olympic Team selection.
“Coming from a sunburnt country like Australia, we really are defying the odds. To be doing so well in a Winter sport is something special. To think this is my fourth Olympics is another childhood dream come true.
“Australia’s got such a rich history in Winter sports and to see these young guns coming through and following in our footsteps is everything we could be hoping for.
Speed skater Brendan Corey will become a dual-Olympian when he hits the ice in Italy, following his debut in Beijing 2022.
A 1500m Short Track specialist, Corey etched his name into the history books in 2024 when he claimed Australia’s first individual World Championship medal in short track speed skating in over four decades.
“I always go into most events with an ‘underdog’ mentality. Even though I have won a medal in the past, Australia is not considered one of the ‘big teams’ in short track that is expected to win medals,” said Corey.
“I use this to my advantage because I find there is less pressure on me than the other top athletes at major events.
It’s this grounded confidence, paired with world-class race craft, that makes Corey one of the most dangerous dark horses in the sport.
Leading the Australian Winter Olympic Team as Chef de Mission is Winter Olympic champion and VIS alumni, Alisa Camplin AM OLY.
“There is such a unique blend of youth and experience in Australia’s 2026 Winter Olympic Team. It’s iconic to have Scotty James at his fifth Games; balanced by an exciting pipeline of young talent,” said Camplin.
“What I love and admire most about our Winter Team is the camaraderie and support they lend each other every day. They’ve created an optimistic, focused, fun and very humble Team culture; like a family. I am so proud of them, and I hope all their dreams come true in Milano Cortina.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games begin on 6 February. Stay up to date with the latest news and get to know the VIS athletes competing via our Milano Cortina 2026 hub.
Photo credit: Olympic Winter Institute Australia
