Fin Melville Ives will be one of 17 Kiwi athletes competing in the Winter Olympics. Photo / Photosport
By RNZ
Seventeen athletes have been confirmed for next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics - the largest snow sports contingent that New Zealand has sent to a Winter Games.
Nine athletes were confirmed today to join the eight who were conditionally selected in October. All 17 are now unconditionally selected, having confirmed Winter Olympics quota spots.
For freeski halfpipe athlete Ben Harrington, selection is a family affair, with younger sibling Luca selected earlier.
“I’m super stoked to join the New Zealand team for Milano Cortina 2026 ... It’s also pretty cool to be in the same team as my younger brother,” he said.
“Having been to Beijing in 2022, I have an idea of what’s coming in terms of the Olympic set-up. I’ll be looking to use that experience this time around and hopefully make everyone proud who’s supported me along the way.”
Harrington is joined in the freeski halfpipe by Gustav Legnavsky, who also competed in Beijing when just 16.
Mischa Thomas completes the freeski halfpipe athletes for this round of selections. She has Olympic experience from Gangwon 2024 as part of the NZ team at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Thomas showed strong form last year, winning both the European Cup in halfpipe in Corvatsch, Switzerland, and the European Cup Premium at Laax, Switzerland, in slopestyle.
The selections of Sylvia Trotter and Lucas Ball make a total of five athletes who will compete in the freeski slopestyle and Big Air discipline.
Trotter finished 10th at the Stubai Freeski Slopestyle World Cup and seventh at the Secret Garden Freeski Big Air World Cup. Both results came in her debut World Cup events in the disciplines.
Lucia Georgalli joins Zoi Sadowski-Synnott in the NZ Team for the women’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air competitions.
Georgalli can draw on her experiences at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, where she picked up a silver medal in the snowboard slopestyle and a bronze in the Big Air.
Three athletes will compete in the men’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air at Milano Cortina.
Dane Menzies has strong 2025 form behind him, notably placing fourth in the World Cup in Aspen, Colorado, in slopestyle and fifth in the World Cup in Beijing in Big Air. He also picked up a third place in the 2026 World Cup in Snowmass, Colorado, in slopestyle.
Rocco Jamieson established himself on the international stage in 2025 with World Cup podium finishes at Cardrona and in Switzerland before making a standout debut at X Games Aspen 2025, securing a bronze medal.
Lyon Farrell completes the men’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air contingent. He was a consistent performer with top 10 placings in Big Air in World Cup events in the United States and China.
Snow Sports New Zealand chief executive Nic Cavanagh said the athletes selected represented some of the finest talent to emerge in snow sports in New Zealand, now competing at the top of their game.
“In addition to experienced Olympians and World Champions, we are seeing a crop of fearless young athletes emerge and stamp their mark on the international stage. Their potential is enormous, and this is a chance for New Zealanders to watch and cheer from afar as they showcase what they’ve been working on for many years.”
He said the future was bright for snow sports in New Zealand.
“This is an illustration of how rich the talent is in the sport right now, and how hard the athletes have worked for selection. Behind them is a community of parents, coaches, supporters, clubs and resorts who have nurtured their development over many years, and who can share in their success. As a community, we should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 6-22 across iconic Italian alpine venues.
Women’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
Lucia Georgalli
Men’s freeski halfpipe
Fin Melville Ives
Luke Harrold
Gustav Legnavsky
Ben Harrington
Alpine skiing
Alice Robinson
Women’s freeski slopestyle and Big Air
Ruby Star Andrews
Sylvia Trotter
Men’s freeski slopestyle and Big Air
Lucas Ball
Ben Barclay
Luca Harrington
Men’s snowboard halfpipe
Cam Melville Ives
Men’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air
Lyon Farrell
Rocco Jamieson
Dane Menzies
Women’s freeski halfpipe
Mischa Thomas