LIVIGNO, Italy – Australia’s Josie Baff claimed gold in the women’s snowboard cross at the Winter Olympics on Saturday, narrowly defeating former champion Eva Adamczykova of the Czech Republic by just 0.04 seconds. The victory marks Australia’s second gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, following Cooper Woods’ upset win in the men’s moguls the previous day.
Baff, 23, navigated the challenging Livigno course with precision, overtaking Swiss teenager Noemie Wiedmer early in the race and holding off a determined push from Adamczykova, the 2014 Sochi Games gold medallist, on the final run. Italy’s Michela Moioli, the 2018 Pyeongchang gold medallist, secured the bronze medal, while Wiedmer finished fourth.
“That is how you write your name into the history books. What a run,” commentator Dave Culbert said during the broadcast on Channel 9.
The Australian team’s success continued shortly after Baff’s win, with Scotty James securing a silver medal in the men’s snowboard halfpipe final. This performance represents Australia’s most successful day in Winter Olympics history, equalling its best-ever single Winter Games haul of two gold and one silver, previously achieved in 2010.
Baff’s triumph was particularly poignant given a recent bout of illness. “It’s amazing. I can’t really believe it, I knew I could do it and I knew deep down I had what it took,” Baff told Channel 9. “I haven’t won in a very long time, so to be able to win here at this event and to have one of the world’s most sought-after gold medals around my neck is absolutely incredible.”
She added, “I wouldn’t change anything for the world, I’m so happy and thankful to all of my techs and my coaches and the team around and all of my friends and family here, I truly couldn’t have done it without them. It hasn’t been easy, I had flu at the start of the week. I actually am just in shock, I’m so happy.”
Baff’s journey to Olympic gold included a 17th-place finish in the seeding run, followed by a remarkable surge through the elimination rounds. She is a former Youth Olympics champion (2020) and a world championships silver medallist (2023).
Adding to the celebrations, Baff’s partner, Canadian Eliott Grondin, won silver in the men’s snowboard cross the day prior. Baff is now the eighth Australian Winter Olympics gold medallist in history, joining Woods, Steven Bradbury (speed skating), Alisa Camplin (aerials), Dale Begg-Smith (moguls), Torah Bright (halfpipe), Lydia Lassila (aerials) and Jakara Anthony (moguls).
Hailing from the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, Baff’s victory adds another chapter to Australia’s growing success story at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.