Winter Olympics 2026: Fin Melville Ives crash leads to broken collarbone; women’s halfpipe final postponed

“The trout spat the hook so close to the net.”

That was how Kiwi gold medal hope Fin Melville Ives reflected on the scary crash that left him unconscious on the snow during qualifying for the freeski halfpipe finals.

In his first Winter Olympics appearance, the 19-year-old world champion landed too deep in the pipe after the third trick of his second run. He landed on his feet, but the impact bent him in half and his head hit the snow.

Melville Ives was knocked out and had to be taken out of the halfpipe on a stretcher. After medical checks, he was found to have a broken collarbone.

“It was really a game of two halves,” Melville Ives said.

In a statement, he acknowledged the medical staff, “who were absolute legends in their care and support”, and his coach Murray Buchan.

Melville Ives made a further move to address the incident with a post on social media.

“Heartbreaking result yesterday, the trout spat the hook so close to the net,” Melville Ives said in a post on Instagram.

“Forever grateful. Nothing but a scratch. The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall - Nelson Mandela.”

While Melville Ives missed the finals, fellow Kiwi Ben Harrington secured the spot as the last qualifier in the 12-strong field, ultimately finishing ninth.

Women’s freeski halfpipe final postponed

In the women’s competition, Mischa Thomas will have to wait an additional 15 hours before competing in her own final after it was postponed.

The event was scheduled to run around 7.30am NZT on Sunday morning, but has been rescheduled for 10.40pm on Sunday night.

The postponement comes after a steady snowfall in Livigno, which has forced a number of events to be rescheduled over the last week.

Thomas posted the 10th-best score in qualifying, with a 77.50 earning her a place in the medal event.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.