In a groundbreaking moment for New Zealand's winter sports scene, two Kiwi athletes dominated the FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in China, marking the first time in history that two New Zealanders have shared a podium in either freeski or snowboard events. But here's where it gets even more remarkable: reigning world champion Finley Melville Ives from Wānaka claimed the top spot, while his compatriot, 17-year-old Luke Harrold from Lake Hāwea, secured second place. This achievement isn't just a win—it's a testament to the rising global influence of Kiwi athletes in extreme sports.
The competition, held at Secret Garden in Hebei Province, was anything but straightforward. Strong winds created challenging conditions, forcing athletes to adapt on the fly. Melville Ives, for instance, resorted to using duct tape to streamline his baggy ski pants—a clever hack that seemingly paid off. 'I honestly have no words,' he said afterward. 'The conditions were so tricky, and everyone skied incredibly well. It feels super surreal.'
And this is the part most people miss: Melville Ives admitted he hadn’t trained well leading up to the event. 'I had to change my run with just 10 minutes left in training,' he explained. 'I even taped my pants to gain more speed and skied in a T-shirt, despite the freezing temperatures.' Despite these hurdles, he delivered a flawless first run, scoring a day-high 90.00, which he matched in his second run.
Harrold, the youngest athlete in the final, brought his signature energy to the halfpipe. As the top qualifier, he dropped last in both runs, scoring 88.00 in his first attempt and improving to 89.00 in the second. While it wasn’t enough to overtake Melville Ives, his performance solidified his status as a rising star. This was Harrold’s second World Cup podium, following his silver medal at Secret Garden in 2023 at just 15 years old.
But here’s a thought-provoking question: Are New Zealand’s winter sports athletes finally getting the global recognition they deserve, or is this still just the tip of the iceberg? With Hunter Hess of the USA taking third place and 17-year-old Mischa Thomas from Auckland finishing seventh in her debut World Cup event, it’s clear that the future of freeskiing is bright—and Kiwi athletes are leading the charge.
Looking ahead, the freeski and snowboard big air World Cup finals are set for Sunday morning NZT in Steamboat, Colorado, while Alice Robinson will compete in the Super G World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland, on Sunday night. Will we see more history made? Only time will tell.
What’s your take? Do you think New Zealand’s winter sports scene is on the brink of a global breakthrough, or is there still work to be done? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, our daily newsletter curated by our editors, for more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
