Duncan Cowan – 2024 Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon Korea
In January, Duncan C (Year 12) travelled to Korea to compete for Australia in the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. The lead-up for this to occur has been years of diligent training and competition, with critical races occurring in 2023 including the Junior World Championships in San Pellegrino, Italy, as well as a number of FIS races held at various mountains in Australia. In many instances at these events, Duncan qualified against, and bettered athletes who were older than himself.
In an amazing acknowledgement of his leadership and only days before the Opening Ceremony, Duncan was asked to be Flag Bearer for the Nation along with fellow team member Tara Baker. What an amazing sight to see Duncan and Tara, proudly waving the Australian Flag as they walked together through the Gangneung Oval with representatives from 31 other nations representing the 1,900 athletes competing at the event.
A few days later – on January 23, Duncan was on the mountain competing in the Men’s Ski Cross amongst a field of 28 athletes from 15 countries on a massive and demanding course at Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort. Duncan placed in the top eight after five rounds of heats, which qualified him for the semi-finals. After sitting in 2nd for most of his semi-final, Duncan had a minor fall near the end and ultimately qualified for the Small Final. Thankfully, he was not hurt.
Duncan placed 2nd in the Small Final, giving him the rank of 6th in the world in Ski Cross for Male Junior Olympians.
The next day, Duncan joined Dakota Turner to compete in the Mixed Ski Cross event. Duncan and Dakota both raced well, but the day was not theirs, and their progress stopped at the Quarter Finals.
Any athlete competing at this level is impressive; Duncan’s performance has been quite exceptional. That he also be recognised, along with Tara Baker, as a Flag Bearer for the Australian Youth Olympic Team highlights a wonderful acknowledgement of his outstanding leadership alongside the best that Australia can muster. Well done, Duncan. The example that you set is truly something for all in the Shore Community to be proud of.
Mr WJ Payne
MIC Snowsports
Top image: Duncan Cowan (Freestyle Skiing) and Tara Baker (Ice Hockey) carry the flag into the stadium for the Australia Youth Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremony at the Gangneung Oval. The Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon, Republic of Korea, Friday 19 January 2024. ANOC/Wander Roberto. Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC.
