Byron Wells

Byron Wells was selected for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games however the Wanaka freeskier was forced to withdraw from competition the day before his event due to a leg injury.

Byron incurred an injury during practice with a bad landing whilst attempting a switch double alley-oop trick during the halfpipe. This resulted in significant soft tissue damage and although intending to continue competition, Byron was unable to fit a ski boot forcing him to make the unfortunate decision to withdraw from competition.

Learning to ski at the age of two and initially training as a ski racer, Byron soon found his true calling in the disciplines of freeski slopestyle and halfpipe.

On his return to competition post Sochi Byron re-staked his claim as one of the world's best superpipe skiers by posting strong results including wins at the Aspen Open halfpipe in 2015 and 2016, bronze at the Canadian Open halfpipe, bronze in slopestyle at the Rev Tour and bronze in halfpipe at the AFP World Tour finals.

Other significant achievements in his career to date include sixth in Superpipe at European X-Games Tignes 2013 and fourth place at the test event for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in 2013.

When not competing overseas Byron is based in Wanaka. He also enjoys flying helicopters, surfing, riding motorcycles and playing the guitar.