Bold claim: a young Australian snowboarder is shaping the path to Milano Cortina 2026 while proving that fun can fuel Olympic dreams. Josie Baff, once a 16-year-old sensation clutching a heavy gold medal at Lausanne 2020, reflects on how much has changed since then—and how much she’s grown as an athlete and a person.
Today, Baff is a seasoned competitor on the world stage, having earned a senior Olympic appearance in Beijing 2022, where she placed 18th in the individual women’s snowboard cross and 13th in the mixed team event with Adam Lambert. Her results on the FIS World Cup circuit and at world championships show a trajectory that hints at podium potential when Milano Cortina 2026 opens on February 6.
As the countdown to Milano Cortina 2026 continues, qualification remains the top priority. Points earned during the 2025-26 FIS World Cup season up to January 18, combined with results from the 2024-25 season and the 2025 world championships in March, determine the Olympic quota list. Each nation’s Olympic Committee then selects its team for the Games.
The season begins with a traditional opener in Cervinia, Italy, on December 13–14, followed by two finales that cap the World Cup series after the Olympics. Over the past three seasons, Baff has finished on the podium three times (third in 2023, and fourth in 2024 and 2025), experiences that have taught her not only technical skills but also how to perform best by keeping the experience enjoyable—an insight she first glimpsed during the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne.
It’s important to note that National Olympic Committees hold exclusive authority over each country’s participation. Whether Baff earns a spot to represent Australia at Milano Cortina 2026 depends on Australia’s Olympic Committee selection.
What you might want to know next:
- The snowboard cross mixed team event explained.
- A full look at Milano Cortina 2026 snowboard schedule.
- Key facts to know about the upcoming Olympic Winter Games.
Baff’s mindset has shifted a lot since her Youth Olympic gold in 2020. At Lausanne, she described the medal as heavier and cooler than she expected, a symbol of the journey ahead. Four years later, she stepped onto Beijing’s Olympic stage with a more measured perspective, prioritizing enjoyment while pursuing higher goals.
Now 22, she balances intense training with lighter off-season pursuits, like mountain biking and crocheting gifts for friends. She admits that she wants more from herself, recognizing that an Olympic opportunity only comes once every four years, so it’s crucial not to miss it.
Yet Baff remains grounded about what success means. The communal, four-rider snowboard cross format at Livigno Snow Park presents a tough challenge. She emphasizes that medals aren’t the sole measure of progress: sometimes second or third-place finishes can be deeply satisfying if she has pushed her boundaries and learned something new.
This nuanced view—valuing small wins, accepting growth through difficult moments, and leveraging personal strengths—reflects a maturing approach. For Baff, fun and progress aren’t distractions; they’re essential fuels that keep her performing at her best. Even in high-pressure moments, she uses her warm-ups to remind herself to enjoy the ride and let the outcome unfold.
