Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Super skier Jakara Anthony had a secret weapon in three-time Olympic champion Jessica Fox to help her regain her golden glow at the Milan-Cortina Games.
No Australian winter athlete had ever successfully defended their gold medal and Anthony also fell heartbreakingly short when she stumbled in the medal round of the individual moguls competition.
But she had a heavy-hitter to call on in six-time Olympic canoe medallist Fox, who embraced the winter scene so much she changed her flights to stay longer in Livigno.
As well as presenting medals to Cooper Woods and Scotty James in her role as a member of the IOC’s Athletes Commission, Fox has been a constant at events.
She comforted Anthony when she fell devastatingly short and then celebrated wildly when the moguls ace bounced back to win gold in the dual moguls event on Saturday.
Anthony said the pair had formed a special bond.
“When I was home injured last year, I went up and watched Jess and Noemie (Fox) race up in Penrith and I got to have some really good chats with Jess,” Anthony said after her race.
“We talked about a few experiences we’ve had that are pretty similar and then she was here the other day when it didn’t go my way.
“She’s been in that exact same position before, so there’s not many people that have been in that position and can kind of understand and give advice, so I was really fortunate to have her here and then for her to be here today to see the turnaround, that was really special too.”
As well as sharing flag bearer advice after she led the team in Paris in 2022 and Anthony at these Winter Games, Fox said she told Anthony to “trust” herself that she’d done the work to succeed.
“It’s been really special to be here and watch her and support her,” Fox told AAP.
“I think for her, it’s always been really about doing good runs and putting down the best performance because she knows that when she does that, she’s got a good chance of being on top of the day.
“You can’t control the result, you can only control what you’re putting out there in your performance and so if she just focuses on that, then the rest will come.
“I’m sending all my good vibes to all the Aussies out here because what they’re doing is incredible.”
Meanwhile, when Woods won his surprise gold medal he realised he didn’t have any shoes to climb the podium and borrowed Anthony’s, leaving her in socks in the snow.
Despite having already experienced a medal presentation in Beijing, Anthony was also caught out.
She borrowed the pants, beanie and shoes of former Olympic mogul skier Taylah O’Neill, who is working with the Australian team in a media role, leaving her completing her duties in gold medal-winning ski boots.
