Wānaka athletes Luca Harrington (20) and Ben Barclay (23) have made history for New Zealand snow sports in Canada this morning (Sunday February 23).

The two freeskiers finished in second and third place respectively at the FIS Freeski Slopestyle World Cup, marking the first time two Kiwi athletes have ever shared a Park & Pipe World Cup podium.

“It was extremely special, we have put so much work in together - we train together every day, we travel together, so it was amazing to stand together on the podium,” Luca said.

Ben was equally pleased, saying “if there is one person I’m not too fussed bumping me down [from second into third] it is Luca. Luca has been on a tear this season, so to join him on the podium is a dream come true, it was amazing.”

The course in Stoneham encouraged the athletes to get creative. With two jumps at the top of the course and then three rail pads providing numerous line options, it was a competition that showed the diversity of the rider’s skillsets.

Ben opted for a technical run to show off his skills, including back-to-back double corked 1620s on the jumps and a bio 810 out of the first rail feature. Dropping at the start of the field, he was initially positioned in first place, before Matej Svancer of Austria and teammate Luca leapfrogged him with their final runs.

Luca, a big air specialist, made the most of the jumps putting down a switch right double corked 1800 Japan grab into a switch left double 1620 safety grab. He then laced together a technical rail section that included a gravity defying 450 gap between two rail features.

Matej remained in the lead to take the win, with Luca in second and Ben in third with just 0.54 points separating the two Kiwi men. 

For both athletes this is their career-second Slopestyle World Cup podium. It is Luca’s best Slopestyle World Cup result (previous result was a third) and Ben’s first World Cup podium in just over three years (last podium was January 2022).

Snow Sports NZ park & pipe head coach Tom Willmott was thrilled but not surprised with today’s result.

“Luca and Ben both delivered world-class slopestyle runs this morning, and making history for NZ snow sports is the cherry on top,” he said. 

“I am stoked to see the boys execute their competition runs so well and to see both Luca and Ben share the podium is something very special. I also want to acknowledge the exceptional work of their lead coach Hamish McDougall, his dedication to all the athletes he works with is second to none."