Matt Graham has finished the season in style, with back-to-back bronze medal performances at the mogul skiing World Cup final in Almaty, Kazakhstan, this time in the dual moguls event.
 
The podium result is Graham’s fifth of the season in World Cup events and combined with his spectacular double medal performance at the recent World Championships, a super successful season for the 28-year-old from the NSW Central Coast.
 
Graham started the day in great form with victories in the round-of-16 over Benjamin Cavet of France, and in the quarterfinals over Canadian Elliot Vaillancourt, with both runs scored in Graham’s favour 21 points to 14.
 
In the semi-final, Graham was up against the legendary Mikael Kingsbury of Canada. Graham put up a strong performance, but went down in a score of 21 to 14 in Kingsbury’s favour.
 
Graham then faced Japanese skier Ikuma Horishima in the dual for third place, with Graham taking the bronze medal 22 to 13.
 
Kingsbury took the win in the final against Walter Wallberg of Sweden with a score of 22-13, with the silver medal giving Wallberg enough points to just edge Matt Graham for third place in the overall standings, which incorporates results from both disciplines.
 
Graham has finished the season standings ranked second in moguls, fifth in dual moguls and fourth in the overall moguls.
 
“Today is a little bittersweet, losing the overall third place on the standings to Walter, but to his credit, he had an amazing season as well,” said the 2018 Olympic silver medallist.
 
“I am really happy with where I am skiing right now and still really enjoying the sport, so looking forward to coming back next year.”
 
With the season now complete, Graham reflected on what he has achieved.  
 
“For me personally and our team Deer Valley was a big highlight, in the single moguls we had the double gold with myself and Jakara Anthony, which doesn’t happen too often for Australia, so that was super special. Also, the World Championships in Georgia, with back-to-back medals was another special occasion.”
 
“All the work I put in during the off season to come back from injury and know that I can still push it against the best guys is really exciting for me.”
 
Next up in Almaty will be the aerial skiing World Cup final, with Danielle Scotty looking to secure her first ever Crystal Globe. Scott is in first place with 382 points, leading Canadian Marion Thenault on 290, with Australian teammate Laura Peel in third on 262.

Matt Graham has finished the mogul skiing season ranked second in the world, after claiming a bronze medal overnight in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
 
After his 2022 Olympic campaign was decimated by injury, Graham has bounced back in impressive form, with four World Cup medals this season and a spectacular double medal performance at the recent World Championships.
 
2022 Olympic Champion Jakara Anthony was unable to compete at the World Cup final, but after her dominant performances earlier in the season where she won the opening four events, had an unbeatable lead in the women’s mogul standings to claim the third Crystal Globe and world number one ranking of her career.
 
In the men’s super-final, Graham put down the fastest run of the round, scoring 78.42 points to finish third, the 22nd World Cup podium of his career.
 
Taking the win was Canadian Mikael Kingsbury with 85.67 points and local Kazakhstan skier Pavel Kolmakov in second with 78.72.
 
“Coming off an injury last year to bounce back this way is really exciting for me and fuels the fire moving forward” said the 28-year-old from the NSW Central Coast.
 
The final event of the season will take place tonight in Kazakhstan, with the athletes competing in the dual moguls event, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina in Italy.
 
With the bronze medal finish, Graham has now moved into third on the overall moguls standings which incorporates both mogul disciplines and will be looking to maintain his spot on the overall podium.
 
“I am fighting for third in the overall against Walter Wallberg, so I am going to have to battle it out and try and make it through all of the rounds and hopefully come home with the bronze.”
 
“I will leave it all out on the table and give it my all, it’s the last day of the season.”