Jewish Australian Scotty James wins Olympic silver in Milano Cortina halfpipe

Jewish Australian Olympian Scotty James has claimed silver in the men’s snowboard halfpipe at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing behind Japan’s Yuto Totsuka in a dramatic final at Livigno Snow Park on February 13.

James, 31, recorded a best score of 93.50 on his second run, recovering from a fall on his opening attempt with a technically demanding switch backside 1440 to backside 1440 combination that placed him firmly in medal contention.

He fell again on his third run while attempting a high-risk backside double cork 1620, a trick he noted had never been landed in Olympic competition, leaving him with what he later described as a “bittersweet” and “numb” result despite securing a place on the podium. Totsuka claimed gold with 95.00, while Japan’s Ryusei Yamada took bronze with 92.00.

The result marks James’s third Olympic medal in halfpipe, following silver at Beijing in 2022 and bronze at PyeongChang in 2018. Across five Olympic appearances dating back to his debut as a 15-year-old at Vancouver in 2010, he has now become Australia’s most decorated Winter Olympian.

James entered the Milano Cortina Games as the reigning four-time world champion and among the favourites for gold, following a dominant run of results including a successful defence of his Laax Open title and a fifth consecutive X Games gold medal.

Despite the disappointment of narrowly missing the top step of the podium, he has already indicated his intention to continue competing, rejecting suggestions that the 2026 Games would mark his final Olympic appearance and signalling his ambition to return in 2030.

Alongside his sporting achievements, James’s personal life has undergone a significant transformation through his embrace of Judaism. He converted to Judaism prior to his marriage in 2023 to Canadian singer Chloe Stroll, the daughter of Aston Martin Formula One team principal Lawrence Stroll.

James has spoken publicly about his conversion, confirming, “I actually am; I converted,” and explaining that the decision carried deep importance within his family life. Since his conversion, Judaism has become an integral part of his identity, shaping the traditions and values he shares with his wife and their son, Leo, who was born in 2024.

The couple were introduced through Chloe’s brother, Formula One driver Lance Stroll, and married in Venice in a ceremony attended by family and close friends. James’s entry into Jewish life has placed him among a small but notable group of Jewish Olympic athletes representing Australia at the highest level of international sport.

Born in Warrandyte, Victoria, James rose rapidly through the ranks of international snowboarding, combining technical precision with competitive consistency. His achievements include multiple world championship titles and X Games victories, and he was selected as Australia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in recognition of his leadership and sporting excellence.

His latest Olympic silver medal further cements his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest winter sports athletes.