New Zealand’s claimed two top ten finishes as the snowboard and freeski men got their turns on the slopestyle course at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Six New Zealanders lined up for qualification this morning at Welli Helli Ski Resort in Gangwon, South Korea. In snowboard, Cam Melville Ives, Josh Li and Txema Mazet Brown, and in freeski Fin Melville Ives, Luke Harrold and Josh Barlow.
Harrold and Cam Melville-Ives were the two to progress to finals, with Cam qualifying in second and Harrold in fifth.
Lake Hāwea’s Harrold was up first, putting down a best run of 65.25 to finish sixth.
Wānaka's Cam Melville Ives then threw down a switch back trip 14 in his final run, a trick he’d never done in competition before, to finish fourth.
“Last run I just gave it everything so I’m pretty happy,” said Cam.
“I’ve never done that trick before so really happy to land that, it was pretty surreal. It’s been a great experience and I’m looking forward to more competition coming up.”
The freeski and snowboard athletes will be back on snow on January 27th to contest big air.
The day’s other competition saw New Zealand’s alpine athletes in action in the slalom. Charlotte Wiggins placed 30th with a total time of 1:50.47s. Hemi Meikle recorded a DNF.
The days competition was the end of the alpine programme for New Zealand.