Winter Olympics: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Alice Robinson among first eight Kiwis selected for Milano Cortina

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claimed gold in the women's slopestyle snowboarding final during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Photo / Photosport

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Alice Robinson are set to return to the Olympic stage, with the pair among the first eight athletes conditionally selected to represent New Zealand in Italy.

The selections for the February event are subject to the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) receiving a quota for each event, with the potential for more athletes to be named in January after European winter performances.

New Zealand’s most decorated Winter Olympian, snowboarder Sadowski-Synnott made history in Beijing and is back for her third Games to take to the slopes in the big air and slopestyle.

She won New Zealand’s first Winter Olympic gold medal in snowboard slopestyle, alongside a silver in big air. She also claimed a big air bronze medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Games.

Robinson also returns for her third appearance in the Games, after becoming the first Kiwi ski racer to win a world championships medal with silver in giant slalom this year.

They will be joined by freestyle skiers Luca Harrington, Ruby Star Andrews, Ben Barclay, Luke Harrold and Fin Melville Ives, and snowboarder Cam Melville Ives.

NZOC chief executive Nicki Nicol congratulated the athletes on stamping their boarding passes for Milano Cortina 2026.

“Congratulations to the eight athletes selected today, it’s special for the group to share in this milestone moment with whānau and friends, and I’m sure it will take a moment to sink in,” Nicol said.

“We’re extremely proud to have each and every one of them wear the fern and represent the New Zealand team in Italy next year. I also want to wish those athletes still in contention for selection the best of luck in the coming months of competition over in Europe.”

The selections are conditional on the NZOC receiving an official FIS (International Ski Federation) quota place for each event at the Games.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from 6 - 22 February 2026 across iconic Italian alpine venues.

Athletes conditionally accepted:

Ruby Star Andrews – women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle and big air

Ben Barclay – men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle and big air

Luca Harrington – men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle and big air

Luke Harrold – men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe

Cam Melville Ives – men’s snowboard halfpipe

Fin Melville Ives – men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe

Alice Robinson – women’s alpine skiing, giant slalom and Super G.

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott – women’s snowboard slopestyle and big air