Prepare to be inspired! Australian snowboarder Tess Coady, who made waves at the 2022 Winter Olympics by securing a bronze medal despite competing with an injured ankle, is now fully fit and eager to expand her medal collection in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games this February.
At just 21 years old, Coady etched her name in history as the youngest Australian to ever win a medal at the Winter Olympics when she clinched third place in the slopestyle event during the Beijing Games. Remarkably, she revealed that she had sustained a fractured ankle during her warm-up session right before the qualifying round, showcasing her incredible resilience. This was not the first time she faced adversity; four years earlier, Coady tore her ACL just before making her Olympic debut in Pyeongchang, which was a painful setback for her.
Now, at the age of 25, Coady has also undergone shoulder surgery last year that cut her World Cup season short and has battled with lingering concussion symptoms. However, she has officially put those injuries behind her and is feeling strong and ready as she gears up for the Games, which commence on February 6.
"Injuries can definitely be tough to deal with, but in the realm of winter sports, it's something we come to accept as part of the journey," Coady shared while training in St Moritz, Switzerland. "I’m feeling great and have no ongoing issues."
Coady is set to compete in both the slopestyle and big air events in Livigno, located in the stunning Rhaetian Alps near the Swiss border. In slopestyle, athletes perform tricks on a downhill course filled with various man-made obstacles, including jumps and rails, while in big air, snowboarders launch off a large jump and are judged based on the difficulty of their tricks, execution, height, and landing.
Although slopestyle is her preferred discipline, Coady has proven her ability to contend for medals in big air as well, having achieved commendable results upon her return to competition. She reached the finals in two World Cup events in China, with her best finish being a fourth-place result, just behind a podium dominated by Japanese competitors, including Mari Fukada.
"I was really pleased with my performance; it felt fantastic to make it into the finals and achieve some solid results," Coady expressed in an interview with AAP. "The first event was incredibly enjoyable with a great jump, while the second one presented some challenges due to snow conditions, but I remain quite satisfied.
"Slopestyle is undoubtedly my favorite — while big air is thrilling and offers a different dynamic, I genuinely enjoy the experience of riding a longer course where I can link together more tricks and showcase my skills."
In preparation for the Milan-Cortina Games, Coady will intensify her training with a World Cup event in Aspen, USA, starting January 9, where she will compete in slopestyle.
The organizers of the Olympics are constructing a new course and a big air jump at Livigno Snow Park, which presents an exciting challenge since there won’t be any test events. Coady admits she is uncertain about her chances for a medal under these conditions.
"I'm really looking forward to competing in Livigno; I’ve visited several times before, and they usually have an exceptional park. However, this competition will take place in a different location, which will certainly add a new twist to the experience. I have created many wonderful memories there, so I can't wait to return.
"As for the medals, since the results are determined by judges, much of it is beyond your control. Therefore, my main focus is to execute a run that I can be proud of."
What do you think about the pressure athletes face when competing under such circumstances? Do you believe Coady has what it takes to shine in Milan-Cortina? Let's discuss!
