Feb 13 • 20:03 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Breaking: Scotty James claims Olympic silver as overhead cable snaps on final run

Scotty James secures a silver medal in the snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics after a dramatic final run, marred by a snapped overhead cable.

Scotty James earned a silver medal in the snowboard halfpipe competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, securing his second consecutive Olympic silver. In a tense final run, drama unfolded when an overhead camera cable snapped just before the conclusion of James's performance, causing fans in the vicinity to scatter for safety. Although the incident added an unexpected spectacle to the event, it is believed not to have significantly affected James's performance as he attempted to chase down Japan's Yuta Totsuka, who had set a challenging score of 95.00 in the second round.

Despite executing a nearly flawless performance, James fell short with a score of 93.50 in his final run, leaving him just shy of the gold medal he has long sought. As he accepted his silver medal, emotions were evident as he reflected on another near-miss in his Olympic quest. Val Guseli, another Australian competitor, finished in fifth place, while Totsuka's remarkable performance secured him the gold, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.

James's performance underscores the pressure and high stakes of Olympic competition, particularly in a sport as artistic and challenging as snowboarding. His silver medal reflects not only personal achievement but also the fierce competitiveness of the Winter Olympics, which showcases athletes from around the world striving for glory. As James continues to build on his impressive career, his determination to claim the elusive gold adds an intriguing narrative to future competitions.

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