OLYMPICS UPDATE: LUCA HARRINGTON BRINGS HOME NZ’S SECOND MEDAL OF THE WINTER GAMES

Freeski Slopestyle – Mens

 Luca Harrington (21) has claimed New Zealand’s second medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. In a tense final that came down to the very last run, Harrington delivered a spectacular performance under immense pressure to claim bronze in Freeski Slopestyle.

Harrington and fellow competitor Ben Barclay each had three attempts to post their best score. To reach the podium, they needed to put down a flawless top-to-bottom run that balanced execution, technical difficulty and variety across the technical rail section at the top of the course and the three jumps at the bottom.

Across the field, nerves were clearly in play, with several top athletes making uncharacteristic mistakes. Going into the third and final run, Barclay was sitting in fifth place and Harrington in ninth, with everything still to play for. Harrington opted for a big and bold rail section before setting up for his final attack on the jump line.  With the first 1800 in the bag, he landed a triple cork 1620 and finished off with a clean 1440 on the third and last jump.

The judges answered with a score of 85.15, propelling Harrington into the bronze medal position. With more than half the field still to drop, Harrington had a long wait to know if the medal was his to keep.

“Today was a battle, and it was a battle for all of us," explained Harrington. "We didn’t get perfect conditions, but that’s part of our sport. I was feeling a lot of pressure, a lot of crazy emotions going on being here at the Olympics, being in the finals and wanting to do everyone proud.

"Standing at the top, representing New Zealand, representing my family, wearing an Olympic bib in the finals, that was such a special moment. I think that’s what motivated me to really embrace that and land that last run. To get rewarded with a haka from my team was such an honour."

Snow Sports NZ Chief Executive Nic Cavanagh said Harrington should rightly feel proud of his performance, having overcome the conditions and competition jitters.

“Congratulations to Luca. He is an incredible athlete - a world champion, Crystal Globe holder and X Games gold medallist - and now holder of an Olympic medal. As he said after the event, it was a tough day on many fronts, but to see both Luca and Ben compete in the finals was incredible. Their ability to stay calm and give their all in those moments, inspired by representing themselves, their families and nation on the world stage, makes this a very special achievement.”