Fin Melville Ives, after crashing out in qualification for the Freeski Halfpipe competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games. Melville Ives, the current world champion and one of New Zealand's best medal hopes, was stretchered off after the heavy fall during his second run after being knocked unconscious. He's now recovering and remains in good spirits, jesting his injuries are "nothing but a scratch". Melville Ives, 19, also thanked the medical staff that have helped him so far, and his coach Murray Buchan. Another Kiwi halfpipe freeskier Ben Harrington, who finished ninth, dedicated his second run to Melville Ives, saying to cameras on the slopes, "Hey Finski, this one's for you, brother, love you, let's go skiing."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2026 18:58 UTC