Emily Arthur holding nothing back for her third Olympic chapter

At 26, Emily Arthur stands at the top of the Milano Cortina halfpipe with a feeling she didn’t quite have in PyeongChang or Beijing: a calm, grounded sense of maturity and a desire to enjoy every moment. 

“I feel like I have this new level of knowledge coming into these Games,” the Sydneysider said. 

“I’m not the ‘grommy’ little 18-year-old anymore. I’m still in awe of this whole experience, but I’m really excited. I feel like this one’s going to be fun, I feel like this one’s for me.” 

Arthur has lived a huge part of her life inside the world’s biggest snowboarding arenas. Her first major international milestones came early: halfpipe bronze at the 2014 Junior World Championships and silver at the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games. 

She reached the Olympic final in PyeongChang at just 18, finishing 11th as Australia’s top woman, before placing 14th in Beijing four years later under the unique pressures of a COVID-era Games. 

The lead-up to her third Olympics, she said, has been the hardest yet. 

“This has been a really hard journey; I feel like I’ve worked harder than I’ve ever worked before,” Arthur said. 

“I work two jobs at home in Sydney – I do as much as I can to keep this dream alive. 

“Not many people get the honour and the privilege to live their dreams, and I can’t believe I still get to do it.” 

Knowing how hard she’s worked to be here, Arthur said her goal for Milano Cortina is to hold nothing back. 

“I’m going for it, in both runs – I have nothing to lose. This is my third Olympics, so I’m not here to play it safe. 

“I really want to just do my best and walk away knowing that I gave it everything and I could.” 

Arthur will be joined in the pipe by fellow Aussies Misaki Vaughan (20) and Amelie Haskell (18). The last time Australia had three women compete in Snowboard Halfpipe was Sochi 2014, when Torah Bright claimed silver after her golden performance at Vancouver 2010.

Once one of the youngest on the team, Arthur now finds herself stepping into the veteran role she used to associate with her idol, Torah Bright. 

“I was the little baby [in my first Olympic Team], and I’ve always looked up to Torah, she’s been my idol since I was a little girl” she said. 

“To be that maybe for other people is really crazy. I guess my advice [to Misaki and Amelie] is to take advantage of everything. 

“I remember my first Games, I had so much fun. I went to as many events as possible. I pin traded with as many people as possible, I really soaked it all in and I think they should definitely take advantage of the experience. 

“And then to just really go out there and have fun and try your best. There’s nothing to lose, you’re already here. You’re already in Olympian. Just go and enjoy and just really give it your all.” 

The three Australians will compete in the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe at the Livigno Snow Park at Milano Cortina 2026. Qualifiers will be held on Wednesday 11 February, with the top 12 advancing to the final on Friday 13 February (AEDT).  

Watch the Winter Olympics on Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport. 

Australian Olympic Committee