Lake Hāwea athlete Luke Harrold has won bronze in the men’s Freeski Big Air competition at the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games.
Competing on a bluebird day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea, Harrold looked primed from the outset, stomping a right double cork 1440 with a safety grab in his first run. The 15-year-old backed that up with a left double cork 1440 with a stale grab in his second run for a solid score of 172.25.
Although he was unable to land his third run, the score was enough to secure Harrold the bronze medal.
“It’s a pretty amazing feeling, I’ve been working towards this competition for a while and to come out with third place is a dream,” said Harrold.
“Training went well, the weather was great, and the jump was really nice so the whole competition flowed really nicely. It was crazy to compete in this field, everyone was throwing down so it’s been such a cool experience to compete here.”
Canada’s Charlie Beatty took gold, with Japan’s Olly Nicholls winning silver.
Harrold will compete in halfpipe on January 31st. It is New Zealand's second medal of the Games, following Lucia Georgalli's silver medal in the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle.