Australian sport has a new national treasure in the form of Olympic snowboarding bronze medallist Scotty James.
The 23-year-old athlete hails from Warrandyte, Melbourne, but has certainly not let the country’s hot climate torpedo his dreams of bearing Australia’s flag in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
James’ Olympic aspirations took him all the way to the snowboard half-pipe final at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games – and his quirky pre-games rituals have afforded him a legion of adoring fans.
Watching on from the sidelines – and back at home in Melbourne – was James’ close-knit family and his 22-year-old international model girlfriend Ivy Miller.
Watching on from the sidelines – and back at home in Melbourne – is James’ close-knit family and his 22-year-old model girlfriend Ivy Miller (left)
His 22-year-old international model girlfriend Ivy Miller (pictured) watched from the sidelines as he battled the slopes
California-born Ms Miller, who grew up in Encinitas, is a frequent guest star on James’ popular Instagram account and travelled to South Korea to watch her superstar athlete boyfriend battle the slopes.
The blonde beauty has modelled around the world, is accomplished in snowboarding and is also a keen surfer.
Her glamorous Instagram snaps have earned her 185,000 followers, with the international model often sharing loving photographs of her Olympian beau.
She signed on with NewMark Models in 2014 and has featured in campaigns for various brands including US clothing label Free People.
The pair are believed to have been together since mid-2016 and often jet around the globe to be with eachother on their international ventures.
James’ 101-year-old grandmother was also watching proudly from Australia and gave her grandson instructions to bring home the gold for her birthday this week. She’ll have to settle for bronze instead.
James’ model girlfriend Ivy Miller (right) travelled to Pyeongchang to watch her Olympian beau battle the slopes
Ms Miller (pictured) was born in Encinitas, California, and followed her Olympian beau all the way to South Korea to watch him battle the slopes
Flag bearer Scotty James of Australia leads the team during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
Scotty James (pictured) began snowboarding at the young age of six and made it to the world stage at 14
James, a two-time world champion, dons a pair of iconic red boxing gloves before he competes and proudly waved his home country’s flag at his third Olympic Games.
The 23-year-old had his best run of 92.00 in the opening round but fell behind after celebrity U.S. snowboarder White won the gold with a staggering 97.75 score.
‘I work so hard, and it is at times like these, obviously we are still focused, but you have to enjoy these experiences,’ James told Channel Seven after the finals.
‘That is why we work hard … to enjoy these experiences as much is possible. I did that today. It was cool.’
The young gun showcased his humility after the event, heaping praise on his two rivals.
‘Shaun is an amazing athlete and he has achieved a lot of great things. He achieved another awesome feat in his career today,’ he said.
‘Hats off to Hirano as well. He is one of the most flawless snowboarders I know. It is cool to watch him.’
The blonde beauty (pictured) has modelled around the world, is accomplished in snowboarding and is also keen surfer
California-born Ms Miller (left) is a frequent guest star on James’ popular Instagram account and travelled to South Korea to watch her superstar athlete boyfriend battle the slopes
Her glamorous Instagram snaps have earned her 185,000 followers, with the international model often sharing loving photographs of her Olympian beau
The blonde beauty has modelled around the world, is accomplished in snowboarding and is also keen surfer
James runs the course during the men’s half-pipe finals at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea
The young world champion started his love affair with the icy slopes at six years old and first competed on the international circuit at 14 at the 2008 Europa Cup.
‘He was never ever a beginner,’ his father Phil told Nine News.
‘He went from nothing to probably intermediate to advanced in the space of probably two hours.’
James took on American legend Shaun White and Japan’s Ayumu Hirano in what was billed as the ‘greatest half-pipe showdown’, coming out with a bronze medal.
James took on American legend Shaun White and Japan’s Ayumu Hirano in what was billed as the ‘greatest half-pipe showdown’, coming out with a bronze medal