Australian ski mogul stars Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham have launched their pre-Olympic push in the strongest way possible, delivering a rare double gold at the FIS World Cup in Ruka, Finland.

The pair produced statement performances to open the season, repeating their dual triumph from Deer Valley in 2023.

It is only the third time Australia has claimed both men’s and women’s moguls gold on the same day. Graham also achieved the feat alongside Britt Cox in Calgary in 2017.

For Anthony, the victory marked a powerful return to top level competition. The Olympic champion is only two events into her comeback after a collarbone injury in Sweden ended her campaign 12 months ago. The Olympics start in Milano Cortina, Italy, on February 6.

Anthony opened the finals with a score of 78.54 to sit second, then elevated sharply in the super final to post 79.89 for the 24th World Cup win of her career. She finished ahead of Americans Olivia Giaccio on 78.64 and Jaelin Kauf on 78.08.

Young Jindabyne skier Charlotte Wilson continued her impressive rise, qualifying for finals on both days in Ruka and taking 13th with 66.63.

“It’s pretty special,” Anthony said after the victory.

“It’s probably nearly a year to the day of getting injured. I’ve been out since then, so this is a pretty special one.”

Anthony also reached the super final the previous day but was bumped down the order after failing to complete her last run.

“Yesterday was a bummer, just didn’t quite nail that last one,” she said. “To get some redemption tonight is pretty special. Took a few learnings about how the course developed. Been a while since I skied a comp, so I had to remember that, and make those adjustments tonight.”

In the men’s event, Graham produced one of the most complete performances of his career. After finishing fourth on day one, the 31 year old controlled all three stages on day two to win his fifth World Cup gold and his first in Ruka.

Graham topped qualifying with 79.43, led the first final with 81.97 and secured the title in the super final with another strong run for 81.72. He edged Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, who scored 81.72, with Canada’s Julien Viel third on 79.30.

“It’s good to be putting down really good runs. The course was challenging, but really fun, and I’m just enjoying it,” Graham said.

“To get a double gold with Jakara – it’s massive. We’re not a skiing nation. We’re a beach nation, so how the hell does this happen?”

Jackson Harvey (18th) and Emma Bosco (20th) were unable to progress to finals, while Cooper Woods and George Murphy did not complete their runs.

The Australian squad will remain in Ruka to train for several more weeks before the World Cup tour shifts to North America in early January.