Scotty James: Australian Snowboarder Eyes Olympic Gold Amidst F1 Family Ties
Aussie Snowboarding Sensation Targets Milano Cortina 2026 Glory
Australia's own Scotty James is on a determined path towards achieving his ultimate snowboarding dream: an Olympic gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. Having already secured a silver and a bronze in previous Games, the accomplished 31-year-old snowboarder is widely considered a strong contender, a fact underscored by his commanding performance topping the qualifying rounds for the men's snowboard halfpipe final.
This pursuit of Olympic glory is intertwined with a remarkable sporting crossover, as James is married to Chloe Stroll, a Canadian singer-songwriter. Chloe is the sister of Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll and the daughter of billionaire businessman Lawrence Stroll, a significant figure and part-owner of the Aston Martin F1 racing team. This union places James squarely within one of the most prominent families in global motorsport.
James and Chloe welcomed their first child, a son named Leo, in 2024, adding another dimension to the athlete's already dynamic life. The couple's journey together began with an unexpected introduction from Chloe's brother, Lance, in 2019. As Chloe recounted in an interview with the Herald Sun, Lance had a premonition: "Lance actually called me and said, ‘I think I just found the guy you’re going to marry’."
Their initial connection blossomed quickly. Chloe was attending a conference in Park City, Utah, the same location as Scotty's next competition. A series of serendipitous events brought them together, leading to what Chloe describes as a four-month period of getting to know each other before James officially asked her to be his girlfriend. Their relationship culminated in a star-studded wedding in Italy in 2023, where fellow Australian and former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo served as one of James' groomsmen, highlighting the couple's deep connections across different sporting arenas.
From Mt Buller to Monaco: An Athlete's Journey
The couple's lifestyle reflects their global reach, residing in Monaco to facilitate James' training in the nearby Swiss and French Alps. This sophisticated base is a world away from his humble beginnings on the slopes of Mt Buller, Australia, where his passion for snowboarding ignited.
James' competitive record speaks volumes about his dedication and talent. He boasts an impressive collection of four world championship gold medals and eight X-Games golds, a testament to his dominance in the sport. Yet, the allure of Olympic gold remains the ultimate prize.
"Naturally, being able to win a bronze and a silver, there’s a stone left unturned, and as a competitor and as someone with big aspirations, naturally, the next thing is to win a gold, so I do think about it a lot," James shared with Nine's WWOS. He emphasizes a pragmatic approach, focusing on the actionable steps required to achieve this ambition rather than dwelling on the hypothetical outcome. "But I also think about what I need to actually do to make it happen, rather than just obsessing over, well, ‘How will I feel if it happens?’ I’ve achieved everything that I said I want to, bar this."
Navigating Competition and Life Off the Slopes
James acknowledges the profound impact of his life outside of snowboarding on his performance on the mountain. "I probably emphasise more so what’s happening off the mountain rather than on. I feel like I’m always in a good place to do what I love every day when I’m snowboarding on the mountain. I can navigate that," he explained. "Whereas things off the mountain can definitely define how you feel on the hill, so making sure that you’re on top of all of them ... definitely has an impact on how much you can really lean into that flow state when you get on the mountain."
The path to gold in Milano Cortina will not be without its challenges. Reigning Olympic champion Hirano Ayumu, who narrowly defeated James for gold at the Beijing 2022 Games, is expected to be a formidable opponent. Fellow Australian Valentino Guseli will also be vying for a podium finish, adding national pride to the competition.
A key element in the men's halfpipe competition is the execution of complex aerial maneuvers, such as the triple cork 1440 – a trick involving three off-axis flips and four full rotations. This demanding trick, famously landed by Hirano in Beijing, is now becoming a standard for top competitors. James demonstrated his mastery by landing one during his qualifying run, signaling his readiness for the final.
Milano Cortina 2026: The Road to Gold
The men’s snowboard halfpipe final is scheduled to commence at 5:30 am AEDT on Saturday, February 14th, with the decisive third run starting at 6:28 am AEDT. For Scotty James, this event represents the culmination of years of dedication, the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition, and a chance to etch his name further into Australian sporting history, all while navigating the unique synergies of his elite athletic career and his high-profile family life.
