THE elite of Australian snowsports were recognised at the 2022 Snow Australia Awards, with a gala event in Melbourne celebrating the best athletes and performances of the 2021/22 season.
Mogul skier Jakara Anthony added another accolade to her stunning year, presented with the Athlete of the Year Award (Olympic disciplines).
The 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games gold medallist achieved the most successful season by an Australian winter sport athlete in history.
Anthony won 11 World Cup medals from 12 starts, claiming two FIS Crystal Globes, including the overall moguls World Cup title and became the first Australian Olympic Champion since 2010.
"It's still very cool every time I hear the words Olympic champion, and I always think did that really happen," Anthony said.
"But it did and it's been a really incredible year and I'm still lost for words for how to describe it, but I couldn't have done it without the moguls family.
"To have won the Olympic gold medal, two Crystal Globes and now the Snow Australia Athlete of the Year Award – it's been an amazing season."
In the Paralympic disciplines, Ben Tudhope claimed his third Athlete of the Year Award, after winning in 2020 and 2021.
The 22–year–old snowboarder won six World Cup medals (including five golds) which paved the way to his second consecutive Crystal Globe as overall World Cup para–snowboard champion.
Tudhope also won two medals at the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Norway and claimed the men's snowboard cross SB–LL2 bronze medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
"What an honour it is to win this award – it's an honour to be recognised alongside some of Australia's best winter athletes," said Tudhope, who could not attend the awards.
"There are so many people who put my interests before their own, and it all goes in to helping me get where I am today.
"It takes an army of people to succeed as a winter sport athlete in Australia, so I'm really grateful for this opportunity and this award is for them too."
Beijing medallists Scotty James (silver) and Tess Coady (bronze) were recognised with the Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin Outstanding Achievement Award, honouring the memory of the two–time snowboard cross World Champion who tragically passed away almost two years ago.
Snowboard halfpipe prodigy, 17–year–old Valentino Guseli claimed his second consecutive Snow Australia Junior of the Year Award, saying it's a privilege to win this award.
"I'm living out my dreams every day and being in that Olympic final in Beijing was one of those," he said.
"All I wanted to do was show the world how I could snowboard and I was happy that I was able to do that."
Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy congratulated all award winners and nominees, highlighting how Australian athletes performed magnificently and represented our country proudly on the world stage.
Australian athletes claiming 26 World Cup podiums overall, four medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and four Crystal Globes.
Retiring Athletes
The gala night was also an opportunity to celebrate the careers of eight athletes who announced their retirement at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Para–alpine skiers Mitch Gourley and Mel Perrine, para–alpine guide Bobbi Kelly, mogul skiers Sophie Ash, James Matheson, Taylah O'Neill and Brodie Summers, and Ski Cross athlete Sami Kennedy–Sim were all presented with the Snow Australia Medal in recognition of their Games participation, service and outstanding achievements.
Athlete of the Year
Olympic Disciplines
Jakara Anthony
Athlete of the Year
Paralympic Disciplines
Ben Tudhope
Alex Chumpy Pullin Outstanding
Achievement Award
Scotty James and Tess Coady
Junior Athlete of the Year
Valentino Guseli
Coach of the Year
Olympic Disciplines
Kate Blamey and Peter McNiel (Moguls)
Coach of the Year
Paralympic Disciplines
Par Sundqvist (Para Snowboarding)
