Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harrold (Freeskier, 14) and Wānaka’s Cam Melville Ives (Snowboarder, 16) have both claimed the gold medal in their respective disciplines at the European Cup Premium Halfpipe competition held in Laax (Switzerland) today (Sunday, March 19). 

Luke put down an impressive qualifying run, including a huge air measuring 17.4 feet above the coping of the 22-foot halfpipe, to qualify through to the finals in second place. He took the lead in the finals with a commanding first run, scoring 86.67 which remained the top score of the competition.  

“I’m super happy I was able to put down a run today, it wasn’t the run I was hoping to do, but it’s what I managed to get done in the soft conditions,” he said. 

Shortly after, Cam claimed the gold medal in the men’s snowboard, putting down a standout run in his final attempt, taking the top spot with a score of 90.00. 

“It feels really good, it’s always a relief to put it all together in the last run,” Cam said. 

“I landed my cab double cork 1080 for the first time in a successful competition run and the switch back 900 I landed was a brand new trick that I have been working on, I am stoked to land it today.”  

Rising snowboarder Lucia Georgalli (Wānaka, 16) achieved the first European Cup Premium podium of her career, finishing in third place today in the Snowboard Slopestyle finals in Laax. 

“I was really hyped to land my cab 270, continuing 270 on the top down rail and to land my front 720 on the jumps cleanly was awesome, Lucia said. 

“I am now feeling really confident going into my next few events”. 

Wānaka’s Adam Hall was also competing overnight finishing sixth at the Para Alpine World Cup Slalom Finals held in Cortina, Italy.

Adam Hall in action at the World Cup Slalom finals. PHOTO: Mattia Rizzi Photo / Fondazione Cortina 

"I am really happy with today’s result,” Adam said.

“This is my second-best result of the season, so really happy to have that feeling of great skiing back again.”