Simon Smale
@simonsmale.bsky.social
Write stuff for ABC Sport.
Live sport nut who is honoured to have covered Beijing 2022 & Paris 2024 Olympics and is thrilled to be heading to Milan Cortina 2026.
Swam from England to France with some mates in 2016.
abc.net.au/news/simon-smale/10007892
Live sport nut who is honoured to have covered Beijing 2022 & Paris 2024 Olympics and is thrilled to be heading to Milan Cortina 2026.
Swam from England to France with some mates in 2016.
abc.net.au/news/simon-smale/10007892
Patience is a virtue.
Australia’s aerial skiers will have to show plenty of it as the weather causes chaos in Livigno.
#MilanCortina2026
Australia’s aerial skiers will have to show plenty of it as the weather causes chaos in Livigno.
#MilanCortina2026
The 'nuts' way Australia's aerial skiers prepare for delays
Delays are nothing new in skiing events, with weather and light a constant battle for event organisers. However, the Australian aerials team has an unusual method to handle the disruption.
www.abc.net.au
February 17, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Patience is a virtue.
Australia’s aerial skiers will have to show plenty of it as the weather causes chaos in Livigno.
#MilanCortina2026
Australia’s aerial skiers will have to show plenty of it as the weather causes chaos in Livigno.
#MilanCortina2026
Bree Walker wasn’t able to write her own happy Olympic story in Cortina.
But the man whose name adorns that track, Eugenio Monti, has one hell of a story to tell.
#MilanoCortina2026
But the man whose name adorns that track, Eugenio Monti, has one hell of a story to tell.
#MilanoCortina2026
This Olympic legend's acts of selflessness earned him a rare award
As Bree Walker aims to create Olympic history in the women's monobob, she will do so on a track named after a man who made history of his own through one of the Winter Games' most selfless acts.
www.abc.net.au
February 17, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Bree Walker wasn’t able to write her own happy Olympic story in Cortina.
But the man whose name adorns that track, Eugenio Monti, has one hell of a story to tell.
#MilanoCortina2026
But the man whose name adorns that track, Eugenio Monti, has one hell of a story to tell.
#MilanoCortina2026
Reposted by Simon Smale
In 2002, Australia broke its Winter Olympics gold medal duck in the most extraordinary of ways, as Steven Bradbury put a decade of injury and bad luck behind him to claim the most thrilling of gold medals.
Last man standing: When Steven Bradbury shocked the world
In 2002, Australia broke its Winter Olympics gold medal duck in the most extraordinary of ways, as Steven Bradbury put a decade of injury and bad luck behind him to claim the most thrilling of gold medals.
www.abc.net.au
February 15, 2026 at 6:38 PM
In 2002, Australia broke its Winter Olympics gold medal duck in the most extraordinary of ways, as Steven Bradbury put a decade of injury and bad luck behind him to claim the most thrilling of gold medals.
How is Australia so good at moguls skiing?
It’s a combination of coaching, culture and a surprisingly large pool of talent.
#MilanoCortina2026
It’s a combination of coaching, culture and a surprisingly large pool of talent.
#MilanoCortina2026
'How the hell' does Australia dominate moguls? The answer is no secret
To the surprise of many, the "beach nation" that is Australia is the best moguls skiing nation on earth. How the team got there is no accident.
www.abc.net.au
February 17, 2026 at 12:24 AM
How is Australia so good at moguls skiing?
It’s a combination of coaching, culture and a surprisingly large pool of talent.
#MilanoCortina2026
It’s a combination of coaching, culture and a surprisingly large pool of talent.
#MilanoCortina2026
Bit of snow today. It turned this alpine paradise into something even greater.
#MilanoCortina2026 #Livigno
#MilanoCortina2026 #Livigno
Livigno's idylic quality enhanced as snow stops play
Livigno is an Italian outlier in more ways than one. With special tax status and a fairytale quality, the town had a phenomenal dumping of snow that caused a significant shuffling of events.
www.abc.net.au
February 16, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Bit of snow today. It turned this alpine paradise into something even greater.
#MilanoCortina2026 #Livigno
#MilanoCortina2026 #Livigno
February 15, 2026 at 11:12 PM
February 15, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Simon Smale
As Jakara Anthony dealt with the disappointment of her singles moguls crash, her coach Peter McNiel was working out how to pick her back up.
How 'mortified' Jakara Anthony went from a fall to a second gold medal
As Jakara Anthony dealt with the disappointment of her singles moguls crash, her coach Peter McNiel was working out how to pick her back up.
www.abc.net.au
February 15, 2026 at 12:48 AM
As Jakara Anthony dealt with the disappointment of her singles moguls crash, her coach Peter McNiel was working out how to pick her back up.
Winning an Olympic gold is hard.
Bouncing back from a crushing disappointment is also hard.
Doing the latter to achieve the former puts Jakara Anthony on a rare level of brilliance as Australia’s first ever two-time Winter Olympic champion.
#MilanoCortina2026
Bouncing back from a crushing disappointment is also hard.
Doing the latter to achieve the former puts Jakara Anthony on a rare level of brilliance as Australia’s first ever two-time Winter Olympic champion.
#MilanoCortina2026
Jakara Anthony's redemptive arc leads her to Olympic immortality
Jakara Anthony stared down adversity, swallowed back her pain, and delivered a performance for the ages to become Australia's greatest Winter Olympian.
www.abc.net.au
February 14, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Winning an Olympic gold is hard.
Bouncing back from a crushing disappointment is also hard.
Doing the latter to achieve the former puts Jakara Anthony on a rare level of brilliance as Australia’s first ever two-time Winter Olympic champion.
#MilanoCortina2026
Bouncing back from a crushing disappointment is also hard.
Doing the latter to achieve the former puts Jakara Anthony on a rare level of brilliance as Australia’s first ever two-time Winter Olympic champion.
#MilanoCortina2026
February 14, 2026 at 6:11 PM
One of the most heartbreaking, affecting things I’ve ever covered was Laura Peel’s heartbreak at missing a medal in Beijing.
I’d desperately hoped that the last Olympic memory that I had of her was going to be so much happier. 😢
#MilanoCortina2026
I’d desperately hoped that the last Olympic memory that I had of her was going to be so much happier. 😢
#MilanoCortina2026
Peel's desperate despair a heartwrenching way for her Games to end
Instead of the glint of gold, Laura Peel's lasting Olympic memory will be the glittering diamonds of despair in Zhangjiakou, with the 36-year-old ruled out of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortin...
www.abc.net.au
February 14, 2026 at 9:13 AM
One of the most heartbreaking, affecting things I’ve ever covered was Laura Peel’s heartbreak at missing a medal in Beijing.
I’d desperately hoped that the last Olympic memory that I had of her was going to be so much happier. 😢
#MilanoCortina2026
I’d desperately hoped that the last Olympic memory that I had of her was going to be so much happier. 😢
#MilanoCortina2026
Reposted by Simon Smale
Scotty James has sought what resides at the end of the Olympic rainbow his whole career. But for the third time, he's had to settle for the numbing pain of almost being an Olympic champion.
The heartache of 'almost' strikes again for Scotty James
Scotty James has sought what resides at the end of the Olympic rainbow his whole career. But for the third time, he's had to settle for the numbing pain of almost being an Olympic champion.
www.abc.net.au
February 13, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Scotty James has sought what resides at the end of the Olympic rainbow his whole career. But for the third time, he's had to settle for the numbing pain of almost being an Olympic champion.
Reposted by Simon Smale
Self-belief is the most powerful tool at an athlete's disposal, and Josie Baff utilised it to its fullest extent with a magical run to gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboard cross.
Baff's self-belief a blessing with a golden exclamation
Self-belief is the most powerful tool at an athlete's disposal, and Josie Baff utilised it to its fullest extent with a magical run to gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboard cross.
www.abc.net.au
February 13, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Self-belief is the most powerful tool at an athlete's disposal, and Josie Baff utilised it to its fullest extent with a magical run to gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboard cross.
Baff. Clift. Wilson.
Snowboard cross in the sunshine, Aussies representing well in the spectator area.
#MilanoCortina2026
Snowboard cross in the sunshine, Aussies representing well in the spectator area.
#MilanoCortina2026
February 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Baff. Clift. Wilson.
Snowboard cross in the sunshine, Aussies representing well in the spectator area.
#MilanoCortina2026
Snowboard cross in the sunshine, Aussies representing well in the spectator area.
#MilanoCortina2026
Some cycling gems on the wall of the Kafe Experience shop in Livigno.
Sonny Colbrelli signed the wall, Michael Matthews left a signed jersey, among others.
Owner of the shop says he loves cyclists because they love lots of coffee! Win win!
🚴♂️ + ☕️ = ❤️
Sonny Colbrelli signed the wall, Michael Matthews left a signed jersey, among others.
Owner of the shop says he loves cyclists because they love lots of coffee! Win win!
🚴♂️ + ☕️ = ❤️
February 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Some cycling gems on the wall of the Kafe Experience shop in Livigno.
Sonny Colbrelli signed the wall, Michael Matthews left a signed jersey, among others.
Owner of the shop says he loves cyclists because they love lots of coffee! Win win!
🚴♂️ + ☕️ = ❤️
Sonny Colbrelli signed the wall, Michael Matthews left a signed jersey, among others.
Owner of the shop says he loves cyclists because they love lots of coffee! Win win!
🚴♂️ + ☕️ = ❤️
Reposted by Simon Smale
Cooper Woods came into the 2026 Winter Olympic Games ranked 22nd in the World Cup rankings in moguls. But in finding his purpose, he roared to a glorious gold medal.
Woods finds his purpose with dream Olympic gold
Cooper Woods came into the 2026 Winter Olympic Games ranked 22nd in the World Cup rankings in moguls. But in finding his purpose, he roared to a glorious gold medal.
www.abc.net.au
February 12, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Cooper Woods came into the 2026 Winter Olympic Games ranked 22nd in the World Cup rankings in moguls. But in finding his purpose, he roared to a glorious gold medal.
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Reckon the Aussies at the snowboard cross are pumped?
Wait till they hear Cooper Woods has won a gold medal at the moguls!
#MilanoCortina2026
Wait till they hear Cooper Woods has won a gold medal at the moguls!
#MilanoCortina2026
February 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Reckon the Aussies at the snowboard cross are pumped?
Wait till they hear Cooper Woods has won a gold medal at the moguls!
#MilanoCortina2026
Wait till they hear Cooper Woods has won a gold medal at the moguls!
#MilanoCortina2026
ABC Sport Daily - chatting about the missed medals and the magnificent halfpipe.
Milano-Cortina: 'I'm bummed' Jakara Anthony misses moguls medals - ABC listen
Reigning Olympic champion Jakara Anthony finished last in the moguls super-final in her pursuit to become the first Australian to defend a Winter Olympic title. In more positive news, Scotty James loo...
www.abc.net.au
February 12, 2026 at 7:36 AM
ABC Sport Daily - chatting about the missed medals and the magnificent halfpipe.
What a ridiculous set of halfpipe qualifying runs.
Two Aussies in the final.
Scotty James looking very, very good in a very stacked field.
#MilanoCortina2026
Two Aussies in the final.
Scotty James looking very, very good in a very stacked field.
#MilanoCortina2026
February 11, 2026 at 11:57 PM
What a ridiculous set of halfpipe qualifying runs.
Two Aussies in the final.
Scotty James looking very, very good in a very stacked field.
#MilanoCortina2026
Two Aussies in the final.
Scotty James looking very, very good in a very stacked field.
#MilanoCortina2026
This was unexpectedly disappointing.
But Jakara’s response was anything but disappointing, a classy response to a crushing disappointment.
#MilanoCortina2026
But Jakara’s response was anything but disappointing, a classy response to a crushing disappointment.
#MilanoCortina2026
Jakara Anthony's response to defeat should make us all proud
Disaster stared Jakara Anthony in the face and meted out the cruellest of injustices as she missed out on a moguls medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. But her response showed us the character that...
www.abc.net.au
February 11, 2026 at 7:33 PM
This was unexpectedly disappointing.
But Jakara’s response was anything but disappointing, a classy response to a crushing disappointment.
#MilanoCortina2026
But Jakara’s response was anything but disappointing, a classy response to a crushing disappointment.
#MilanoCortina2026
February 11, 2026 at 1:19 PM
A puzzle. Lego. And Grey’s Anatomy reruns.
Jakara Anthony cruised through qualifying today on the moguls course - but she doesn’t want to think about skiing until tomorrow’s final.
#MilanCortina2026
Jakara Anthony cruised through qualifying today on the moguls course - but she doesn’t want to think about skiing until tomorrow’s final.
#MilanCortina2026
How Anthony will cope with the stress of defending her title
Jakara Anthony will do anything aside from thinking about moguls skiing after qualifying number one for Wednesday's 2026 Winter Olympics final, taking to Lego, a puzzle and Grey's Anatomy instead.
www.abc.net.au
February 10, 2026 at 7:49 PM
A puzzle. Lego. And Grey’s Anatomy reruns.
Jakara Anthony cruised through qualifying today on the moguls course - but she doesn’t want to think about skiing until tomorrow’s final.
#MilanCortina2026
Jakara Anthony cruised through qualifying today on the moguls course - but she doesn’t want to think about skiing until tomorrow’s final.
#MilanCortina2026
It’s been a tough day for the Australian Winter Olympics team.
Two Games-ending injuries.
Two more on the bubble.
It’s the heartbreaking reality of winter sports.
#MilanoCortina2026
Two Games-ending injuries.
Two more on the bubble.
It’s the heartbreaking reality of winter sports.
#MilanoCortina2026
The desperate toll of Aussie injuries at the Winter Games
Games-ending injuries to Cam Bolton and Misaki Vaughan have emphasised the dangers of winter sport as the Australian team copes with issues early in the Milano Cortina Games.
www.abc.net.au
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
It’s been a tough day for the Australian Winter Olympics team.
Two Games-ending injuries.
Two more on the bubble.
It’s the heartbreaking reality of winter sports.
#MilanoCortina2026
Two Games-ending injuries.
Two more on the bubble.
It’s the heartbreaking reality of winter sports.
#MilanoCortina2026