Wānaka freeski star Finley Melville Ives has opened 2026 with another strong international result, finishing second at the FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Calgary, Canada, on Sunday morning (January 4).

The 19-year-old claimed his second World Cup podium of the season at the third stop of the tour, continuing the momentum from a standout start to the northern winter.

“I’m so stoked, I can’t believe it - it’s been an incredible start to the World Cup season,” Finley said. 

“The conditions were pretty tricky today, but [I] managed to put my run down and land a trick I’d never done before in competition, so I am pretty hyped to tick that one off.”

After topping qualification from his heat, Finley earned the advantage of dropping second to last in both finals runs. He made an immediate impact, delivering a near-flawless opening run to take the early lead.

The pressure ramped up in the second run when American Nick Goepper responded with a highly technical performance, scoring 94.80 to move into first place. With the bar raised, Finley attacked his second run with intent, landing a switch left double corked 1440 safety grab for the first time in competition. 

Minor bobbles on two landings meant the run did not improve his opening score, leaving him second overall behind Nick Goepper, with Birk Irving (USA) third.

Calgary Men’s Freeski Halfpipe World Cup podium. [L-R] Finley Melville Ives NZL (2nd), Nick Goepper USA (1st), Birk Irving USA (3rd). PHOTO: Snow Sports NZ.

Fellow Wānaka skier Ben Harrington finished eighth in his best result of the season.

The tour moves on to Aspen next weekend, with New Zealand’s slopestyle athletes also returning to competition as the countdown to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games reaches 33 days.