Wānaka teenager Finley Melville Ives (18) has put down one of the most explosive freeski halfpipe runs in history to claim the 2025 FIS Men’s Freeski Halfpipe World Championship title in Corvatsch, Switzerland this morning (March 31).

Finley beat some of the big names in the sport with a stellar first-run score to capture the title.

“Honestly, I am in shock,” Finley said. 

“I can’t believe I landed my run, I am so hyped … I just can’t believe it, it’s so sick.”

Finley’s run began with a switch right double cork 1080 Japan, then a left double cork 1620 mute, a left alley-oop double flatspin 1080 mute, a switch left double cork 1080 Japan, before ending with a right double cork 1620 safety. 

The judges were just as impressed as the crowd and commentators, awarding him a huge score of 96.00, which positioned him at the top of the leaderboard after run one.

Finley Melville Ives in action during qualification.

Decorated American slopestyle athlete turned halfpipe skier Nick Goepper finished in second place, with two-time Olympic halfpipe medalist Alex Ferreira, also of the USA, rounding out the podium in third.

“They’re both my idols, so I honestly can’t believe it,” Finley said. 

“I’m so stoked to share the podium with them.”

Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harrold (16) finished in fourth position making history by putting down the first switch left alley-oop triple cork 1260 mute ever landed in competition during his second run.

With just over 10 months until the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games the Kiwi Park & Pipe Team will now turn their focus to spring training camps in the Northern Hemisphere before returning to New Zealand for the domestic season.

PHOTOS: Christian Stadler / FIS Park & Pipe