Snowboard Slopestyle Junior World Champion Lucia Georgalli and curler Jed Nevill will lead the New Zealand Team into the Opening Ceremony of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Georgalli (Wānaka, 16) and Nevill (17, Ida Valley) were named New Zealand Team flagbearers by Chef de Mission Marty Toomey at a team function this afternoon in South Korea.
“Lucia and Jed are passionate and dedicated young athletes whose actions epitomise the values of the New Zealand Team,” said Toomey.
“I’m very proud to present them both with the New Zealand flag and I look forward to seeing them lead the New Zealand Team into the Opening Ceremony.”
Georgalli is the reigning FIS Junior World Champion in Snowboard Slopestyle, winning the title at the 2023 FIS Park and Pipe Junior World Championships at Cardrona. She will compete in snowboard slopestyle and big air in Gangwon.
“I'm really grateful to be named flagbearer. I've been thinking about this competition for years, so it's pretty cool to get to lead the team, I'm stoked," said Georgalli.
"I'm loving being in this environment and really excited for competition. It's going to be great snowboarding at a new resort and I'll give it my best go."
Nevill begins his campaign tomorrow as skip of the Mixed Team which will meet Sweden first up. He will also compete in the mixed doubles later in the Games.
“I can't wait to have a good couple of weeks, we've got a great team behind us. We had a practice day today which was good to dust ourselves off and then we're into it tomorrow," said Nevill.
Nevill and Georgalli will lead the New Zealand Team into the Opening Ceremony which begins at 1900 local time.
The New Zealand Team for Gangwon 2024 is made up of 22 athletes, all aged between 14-18.
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The Kiwi athletes will compete across five winter sports at the Games, which run from January 19-1 February in Gangwon province in South Korea.
The Winter Youth Olympic Games is run by the International Olympic Committee and will be the fourth Winter Youth Games, following those in Innsbruck in 2012, Lillehammer in 2016 and Lausanne 2020.
The Games provide a valuable pre-elite development opportunity for the world's most promising young winter athletes, allowing them to experience a multi-sport games environment while exposing them to learning and cultural opportunities. Almost 2,000 athletes will compete at the Games.
Coverage is available on Sky Sport.