Aussie boarder, 15, to compete in Vancouver
Scott James is the youngest Olympic athlete from Down Under in 50 years
Last Updated: Monday, January 25, 2010 | 11:04 AM ET
The Associated Press
Australia's Torah Bright will compete in the halfpipe competition at the Vancouver Games. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)Scott James, a 15-year-old halfpipe snowboarder, was named to Australia's Olympic team Monday, the country's youngest competitor at the Games in 50 years.
James, who had not finished in the Top 20 at a World Cup meet, placed 15th last weekend in Canada to gain selection to the team.
James, who will be 15 years, seven months when the Games begin in Vancouver next month, will become Australia's youngest Winter Olympian since 1960 when Aileen Nash competed in figure skating at Squaw Valley, California.
James will join Torah Bright, Holly Crawford, Ben Mates (halfpipe), Damon Hayler, Alex Pullin (snowboard cross) and Joh Shaw (parallel giant slalom) in the Australian team for Vancouver.
The Australian freestyle skiing team was also announced, with Jacqui Cooper and Lydia Lassila in the aerials. The pair will be joined by Liz Gardner and Bree Munro with David Morris taking the sole men's position.
Defending Olympic champion, Canadian-born Dale Begg-Smith, heads the moguls team with teammate Ramone Cooper and ski cross exponent Jenny Owens named subject to medical assessments on Sunday.
Craig Branch and Jono Brauer are in the alpine team.
