Matt Graham celebrates his 100th World Cup start in True Aussie style
- Matt Graham celebrated his 100th World Cup start in Ruka, Finland.
- He raised a cricket bat and was joined by friends and family during the celebration.
- Graham's milestone reflects his significant achievements in skiing and Australian sports.
In a remarkable display of Australian spirit, ski champion Matt Graham celebrated reaching a significant milestone of 100 World Cup starts at Ruka, Finland. This celebration, held at a snowy location far from Australia's iconic cricket venues, showcased Graham's deep connection to his roots as he raised a Kookaburra cricket bat to commemorate the occasion. Surrounded by family, friends, and teammates, Graham's gesture honored not only his accomplishment but also the cultural elements that define Australian sportsmanship. Graham, originally from Gosford, New South Wales, began his skiing journey at the age of six through the Perisher Winter Sports Club. His early ambitions were to become an Olympic sailor, but he found his passion in skiing, making his World Cup debut at just 15 years old with a respectable 27th place finish in Deer Valley, USA. Since then, he has amassed an impressive résumé, which includes securing his first World Cup podium with a silver medal in 2015 and achieving further success with a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics — a historic moment as it marked Australia's 13th Winter Olympic medal. Over the years, Graham has continued to excel in international competitions, as evidenced by his silver medal win at the 2019 World Championships in Utah and the prestigious World Cup Crystal Globe as the top-ranked mogul skier for the 2020-2021 season. His athletic journey faced challenges such as a collarbone injury sustained during training in December 2021, yet Graham's determination has led him to earn dual medals in the 2023 World Championships held in Bakuriani, Georgia. As he reflected on his experience following the celebratory moment in Finland, Graham expressed gratitude and a sense of fulfillment. Stating he felt