Australian athletes Reilly Flanagan and Hannah Price are currently pursuing qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Reilly Flanagan: Aerial Skiing Qualification
Reilly Flanagan, an aerial skier from Canberra, is seeking to qualify for the Winter Olympics. If successful, this would mark the first time Australia has entered a team in the aerial skiing event at the global competition. Flanagan's team achieved a fourth-place finish at the world championships in March and secured a bronze medal at a World Cup event in January.
To participate in the mixed team event, Flanagan must also qualify for the individual aerial skiing discipline. With approximately one month remaining until the Games, Flanagan's qualification status is pending. Qualification events are scheduled to begin in Canada on Tuesday, followed by two additional opportunities in the United States. The final qualification deadline for Flanagan is January 12.
Flanagan recently returned to Queensland for a period of rest after competing in the northern hemisphere, including an event in China where temperatures were reported to be in the minus 30s. The 21-year-old is among several Australian athletes attempting to secure their places on the national team, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. Australia fielded 43 competitors at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, earning four medals. A team exceeding 50 athletes is projected for Milano-Cortina.
Hannah Price: Cross-Country Skiing Qualification
Hannah Price, a 24-year-old member of Australia's cross-country ski team, is also vying for an Olympic spot. In September, Price relocated to Ă–stersund, Sweden, a central hub for cross-country skiing, to prepare and compete in Europe.
Cross-country skiing involves navigating groomed snow terrains that include ascents, descents, and flat sections. Distances for races vary from 1.2km sprints to 50km marathons. Price has participated in cross-country skiing since the age of 10. After graduating with a law degree in mid-2025, she opted to prioritize her Olympic qualification efforts before commencing a graduate law position.
Price's qualification for the upcoming Winter Olympics remains mathematically possible but is considered unlikely based on her current season's results compared to other competitors. She plans to continue racing until January 19.
Team Announcement and Sport Development
The official Australian Winter Olympic team announcement is scheduled for the final week of January.
The development of winter sports infrastructure in Australia has seen recent advancements. A specialized water ramp facility for aerial skiers was established in Brisbane in late 2020. This facility is intended to enhance training opportunities for Australian aerial skiers.
According to Flanagan, Australia, as a non-traditionally wintery country, faces unique challenges due to limited domestic snow training facilities compared to larger winter sports nations. Price notes that cross-country skiing in Australia is showing a positive trend in athlete performance and national ranking.