NSWIS skiers Abi Harrigan and Daisy Thomas have commenced the 2025-2026 World Cup season in Stubai, Austria, finishing in 15th and 24th places respectively.
 
Severe winds on the glacier forced the cancellation of the men’s competition, which was set to feature Joey Elliss, leaving only the best of two-run women’s qualification round to determine final standings.
 
Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud claimed victory with a score of 81.92, ahead of Canada’s Olivia Asselin (76.71) and Anni Karava (68.07) of Finland in third.
 
Harrigan posted her best score of 50.16 in the opening run, while Thomas also recorded 39.40 in her first attempt.
 
Next up, the World Cup tour heads to the 2022 Olympic resort of Secret Garden, China, for a big air event for both skiers and snowboarders on November 29 and 30.
 
Australian and NSWIS snowboard stars Tess Coady and Valentino Guseli will make their season debut in China, where Guseli will return to competition for the first time since injury last December.

The 2025–2026 Freeski Park & Pipe season kicks off this weekend with the opening slopestyle event in Stubai, Austria.
 
Australia will be represented by NSWIS skiers Abi Harrigan and Daisy Thomas in the women’s competition, while Joey Elliss will make his World Cup slopestyle debut in the men’s event.
 
This year marks the ninth time the season opener has taken place at the Stubai Zoo terrain park on the glacier. The event is one of three slopestyle Olympic qualifying competitions this season, with Aspen and Laax still to come before the qualification deadline on January 18.
 
Harrigan captured her first World Cup medal last season with a silver in Tignes, France, while Thomas posted her best slopestyle finish to date, placing eighth in the same event. Harrigan wrapped up the season ranked 11th overall, with Thomas in 21st on the World Cup standings.
 
For Elliss, Stubai marks his World Cup slopestyle debut after competing in big air World Cups and both slopestyle and big air at last season’s World Championships.
 
Looking ahead to the Olympic season, Thomas said she is eager to make an impact:

"Super excited for the first world cup of the season this weekend” said the 18-year-old from Sydney.

"We have already had a great start to the season in terms of preparation and I am feeling very confident and comfortable to get this show on the road! 

"I’ve been in Austria for 2-3 weeks now having spent a week at Banger Park getting my tricks dialed and perfected. I have also spent a week on the World Cup course already learning new tricks for the rest of the season as well as get my competition run sorted. With all that in mind I’m here to put down my smartest run and score a result i’m proud of."

Legendary Australian snowboarder Torah Bright has been officially inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, with the Olympic gold and silver medallist cementing her legacy in the nation’s sporting history.
 
The announcement was made at the annual gala in Melbourne on November 17 2025, where Bright joined six other sporting greats, including Lleyton Hewitt, Jason Dunstall, Laura Geitz, Cameron Smith, Mark Schwarzer, and sports medicine pioneer Dr Peter Harcourt.
 
Born and raised in Cooma, at the foot of the NSW Snowy Mountains, she began skiing at an early age before transitioning to snowboarding at 11. Bright made her Olympic debut at 19 during the 2006 Turin Games, finishing fifth in the halfpipe, just one point shy of the podium.
 
Her competitive excellence continued at the prestigious Winter X-Games in Aspen, USA, with gold medals in 2007 and 2009, and silver medals in 2006 and 2008.
 
Her defining moment arrived at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. After carrying Australia’s flag at the Opening Ceremony, Bright faced injury concerns heading into the halfpipe final. Rising to the occasion with remarkable determination, she delivered a magnificent performance to claim the gold medal, a victory that transformed both her life and snowboarding’s status in Australia.
 
At the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Bright made history as the first female athlete to compete in three snowboarding events: halfpipe, slopestyle and snowboard cross. Her silver medal in the halfpipe secured her position as Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian.
 
“I hope my legacy shows that no dream is too big! I want the next generation of snowboarders and athletes in general to truly believe in themselves. Belief, real, unwavering belief in yourself, your vision and what’s possible, isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s a skill. Like a muscle it has to be built, stretched and strengthened every day. People often point to talent or genetics as the key to success. But in my experience, belief is the foundation. It’s the silent force that carries you through every challenge.
 
“Sport has taught me everything. Those early days skiing with my family built the foundation – connection, freedom and fun. Sport gave me confidence in who I am beyond results. It taught me discipline, self-awareness, and the importance of creating an environment that supports who you truly are. It taught me to believe in myself and in what’s possible. It also taught me resilience: to feel pain, but still choose hope. To trust the unknown. Most importantly, I’ve learned that it’s all a game. Perspective shapes our experience. Mindset and leading with heart is something I carry into every area of my life now.”

Australia’s most decorated snowboarder, Scotty James, has etched his name into the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) history books once again, claiming his third VIS Award of Excellence honour and in doing so, equaling the record held by Australian athletics legend, Catherine Freeman OAM.

The VIS Award of Excellence was held last night at Melbourne Recital Centre, where athletes and staff were recognised and celebrated for their incredible achievements over the past year.

The coveted award recognises a VIS athlete who has achieved outstanding sporting results in the year, alongside meaningful contributions to the promotion and development of their sport.

James previously won the award back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

His 2025 win comes after an extraordinary season where he balanced elite competition, fatherhood and publishing new books, while cementing his name as a driving force in strategic investments - most notably as a strategic advisor and investor for the X Games.

“The first time I walked into the VIS I would have been 14 or 15 years old, and I had a dream of what I wanted to accomplish in snowboarding,” said James.

“I’m 31 now, but the VIS has been there every single step of the way, and we’ve been able to accomplish some amazing goals together.

“World Championships, Olympic medals, and to be honest, I couldn’t have done it without the VIS support. I’m very honoured, and very proud.”

On the snow this year, he claimed his fourth World Championship title, seventh X Games gold medal, and topped the podium at the LAAX World Cup.

Cementing his status as a global icon, James is now months out from competing at his fifth Winter Olympic Games where he hopes to bring home Olympic gold – the only gold that has eluded him so far.  

James was among three finalists for the 2025 Award of Excellence, being joined by Para-cycling World Champions Emily Petricola OAM and Alana Forster.


The evening also saw the VIS recognise a number of other athletes who enjoyed success in sport and life throughout 2025.

The Para Athlete Award went to Forster, a Paralympic bronze medallist and leader on the international stage. Forster was crowned a double World Champion at the 2025 UCI Para Road World Championships in Belgium. Beyond racing Forster is a doctor and proud member of the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club, where she serves as Vice President.

Hannah MacDougall was awarded the 2XU Performance Lifestyle Award, which recognises excellence from an athlete in their studies, career ambitions, and/or work setting whilst pursuing their sporting career.

MacDougall won gold at the Oceania Triathlon Para Championships, claimed bronze in the World Triathlon Series and claimed bronze at the World Triathlon Championships last month.

Beyond the podium, she continues to shine academically and professionally with multiple degrees, a PhD and contributes to academic research on elite Para-athlete wellbeing. Forster works as a Player Development Practitioner and Inclusion and Wellbeing Consultant, in addition to being an informal amputee mentor.

The Carbine Club Rising Star Award recognised one of Australia’s most exciting young talents, netballer Lily Graham.
Known for sinking ‘super shots’ in the Super Netball, Graham was part of the premiership-winning Melbourne Vixens team in 2025. In addition to her Vixens success, Graham earned U21 Australian selection for the 2025 Youth World Cup in Gibraltar, where the team went undefeated and Graham was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Amongst three impressive Sarah/Sara finalists, the Sarah Tait Spirit Award was taken out by Australian basketballer, Sara Blicavs, who sacrificed her Paris Olympic dream to undergo a high-risk spinal fusion and disc replacement surgery.

Through sheer commitment and persistence, Sara not only returned to the court stronger than ever but also earned selection for the Australian Opals at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, where the team were ultimately crowned champions.

The Frank Pyke Achievement Award, presented to an athlete who enjoyed a successful sporting career, made a significant contribution to the VIS and their sport and who has since built a successful post-athletic career, was awarded to Paralympic Champion in athletics, Tim Matthews OAM.

The VIS congratulations all athletes and staff for their achievements in 2025. The grit, passion and relentless pursuit of excellence have shone through in both sport and life.