Wānaka freeskier Finley Melville Ives (19) dominated the Aspen Freeski Halfpipe World Cup today (January 11), claiming gold by a wide margin in Colorado.

Finley topped qualifying and backed it up in finals, landing a technical first run with massive amplitude for a score of 95.00 that no one could touch. 

His second run served as a victory lap, marking his third World Cup podium and extending his lead in the 2025/26 Freeski Halfpipe standings.

“I had such a good training, so I said to my coach I am going to go hammers for my first run and I was stoked, I can’t believe it held,” Finley said.

“I am just trying to have as much fun as possible when I’m skiing, and skiing is my happy place.”

Finley beat a star-studded field, with Team USA’s Hunter Hess in second and three-time Winter Olympian Nick Goepper in third. Wānaka’s Gustav Legnavsky (20) placed ninth.

Finley currently leads the World Cup standings for the 2025/26 Freeski Halfpipe World Cup Tour.

Earlier in Aspen, Kiwi snowboarder Dane Menzies (20) grabbed bronze for his first World Cup podium at the Snowboard Slopestyle event. 

The Park and Pipe competition continues over the next couple of weeks, with the LAAX Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cups, and the prestigious Aspen X Games on the calendar.

Watch Finley's run here.

PHOTO: Andrew Wevers / FIS Park & Pipe.