PYEONGCHANG 2018: Before he was a Snowboard Halfpipe World Champion, Scotty James was belting out the Australian national anthem to win free tickets to Falls Creek, Victoria.

There is something symbolic and almost magical about the journey of a youngster just trying to win free tickets to go snowboarding, to being named as the Australian Flag Bearer for his third Olympic Games.

23-year-old James, who led the Australian contingent in Friday night's Opening Ceremony at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, quipped that he was once "known to do a bit of karaoke when I was younger".

"I'm not one to pick up the microphone anymore but that was actually for a snow function for the Australian resorts and I raised my hand because it was to win two day tickets to Falls Creek," he said.

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"To get those I had to sing the Australian anthem. I went up there, sang the ballad, got the tickets and went snowboarding.

"I've never been much with a great voice and I probably messed up a couple of words here and there but I gave it a good nudge which is what it's all about."

Fast forward to 2018 and James, who is revered as a global snowboarding superstar, is set to compete in his third Olympic Games in just a matter of days.

The Melburnian will compete in the Snowboard Halfpipe qualifications at PyeongChang 2018 on Day 4 with finals being held on Day 5.

You can follow all the coverage from the Winter Games live and free on Channel 7.

David Barden
olympics.com.au