Jakara Anthony family comes down from epic high as Barwon Heads celebrates gold medal
The proud parents of Winter Olympics gold medallist Jakara Anthony have barely slept a wink amid a flood of support for their daughter’s dominant victory — a success they believed was always on the cards.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jakara Anthony’s parents Sue and Daryn just want to slide into the pool and relax.
It’s about 26C and sunny in Barwon Heads and the pair have barely slept since seeing their daughter’s historic gold medal performance in the Winter Olympics on Sunday evening, having celebrated until the early hours of Monday morning and then spent much of the hot summer day fielding calls from media, friends and family.
“We didn’t get to bed until 5, and the phones been going off the hook since 6,” Sue said on Monday afternoon, sitting within splashing distance from the pool in the family’s backyard.
“It’s been very exciting. We’ve been able to speak to Jakara, and she’s very excited and very much still trying to process it … She can’t wait for the medal ceremony.”
“Then she’s back in Melbourne tomorrow,” Daryn said.
“It’ll be good to have her home and watch the rest of the Olympics with her,” Sue said.
Just five Australians had won gold medals at the Winter Olympics prior to Jakara’s 83.09-score moguls run in the -18C conditions at Zhangjiakou. Her friends and family are well-aware of the significance of her win.
“That’s what we were talking with her the most this morning, ‘you’ve just made history’,” Sue said.
“And she did it convincingly, she dominated. She didn’t just scrape through, she was in control from the start to finish.”
While there were nerves watching Jakara’s run with friends, family and supporters at Bells Beach Brewing in Torquay on Sunday night, there was also a healthy dose of confidence.
“I think we always believed she could do it,” Daryn said.
“And definitely she was towards the top of her game, and she’s been on this season, she’s been really good.”
“Definitely she hasn’t just stumbled into it just for the games, she deserved it. She’s been up there this whole time. Certainly that made us believe it was possible.
“There was just this aura that she’d given it everything to be the best that she could possibly be on that night, and it all came together for her.”
“The big thing she’s said this year is that her weaknesses have now become her strengths,” Sue said.
“So one of them was her jumps and the other one was the mindset – and they’ve worked really hard on that and that’s what they’ve turned around and really made her able to do it.”
“She’s happy and enjoying skiing, which has been a process to get to where you can leave away the results and go back to loving what you’re doing.”
With Jakara due back home midweek, the family will now enjoy some well-earned relaxation by the pool, the excitement of the medal ceremony and the fresh memory of Jakara’s history-making win – and the big grin she flashed as her scores were announced.
“That smile was fantastic,” Daryn says, flashing one of his own.
Barwon Heads, Christian College celebrates Jakara Anthony
The Barwon Heads community erupted with joy when hometown hero Jakara Anthony clinched gold at the Winter Olympic Games on Sunday.
Trader Peitria Wooding congratulated the 23-year-old mogul skier on her “amazing achievement” in Beijing.
Ms Wooding, from popular store Ten Thousand Things, said the community had been behind Anthony.
“It was amazing,” she said.
“We sat up last night and watched it which was absolutely awesome.
“She just comes across as being the most gorgeous down to earth girl as well and just lovely, really supportive parents.”
Ms Wooding said it great to have winter Olympic champion from a town known for surfing.
“It’s just an amazing achievement. It’s obviously put the town on the map. It’s a credit to her and her dedication and hard work.”
Meanwhile pupils at Anthony’s former school Christian College Geelong were also celebrating the win.
Christian College Geelong Principal, Mr Glen McKeeman, said the college community had been “buzzing with excitement” leading up to, and following, Anthony’s gold medal success.
“Campuses are adorned with posters and photos of Jakara after her stunning performance last night,” he said.
“Our community is overjoyed for Jakara and immensely proud of her achievements.
“We were all watching with nervous anticipation last night as she completed three fantastic runs to clearly dominate the competition and clinch the gold.”
Mr McKeeman said winning gold had been Anthony’s dream throughout her school journey and since her graduation.
“Having watched her realise that dream and triumph last night, the college students, staff and families are proudly celebrating the nation’s newest Olympic champion,” he said.
City of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said the community had passionately supported Jakara during her Winter Olympics campaign and felt so incredibly proud that the Barwon Heads local was the one to break the nation’s gold medal drought.
Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson, who lives at Barwon Heads, said Anthony had made the community proud.
“Jakara Anthony’s historic gold medal win is not only testament to her extraordinary courage, skill and nerves of steel but has inspired a nation of young women that dreams do come true,” she said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Jakara Anthony family comes down from epic high as Barwon Heads celebrates gold medal
More games at Cattery as Geelong set to receive fixture boost
Geelong put in a fixture request to the AFL and it has been confirmed by the club.
Men allegedly try to lure girls into car in Barwon Heads
Police are investigating after three men allegedly tried to lure two young girls into their car in Barwon Heads on Sunday by offering them lollipops.