Wānaka brothers Ben (21) and Luca Harrington (19) have both achieved career best World Championship results overnight in Georgia. 

Ben finished in fifth place at the Freeski Halfpipe World Championships and Luca finished in fifth place at the Freeski Big Air World Championships.  

"I am very fired up, that was probably the biggest I have ever gone in the halfpipe,” Ben said.

“I wish I could have put down one of my second or third runs but I am over the moon with how my season has gone and how I have skied in Georgia."

Ben laced together a technical first run with plenty of amplitude, including a huge left double cork 1260 on the first hit and a stylish alley oop double flat 720 on his fourth hit that he sent into the stratosphere. 

Ben Harrington in action during qualification in Georgia.

The judges scored him a respectable 82.00, a score which he was unable to top for the remainder of the event.

Luca proved that he is up there with the world’s best in big air, lacing together a switch double 1800 with a lead tail grab and a right double 1980 with a lead cuban grab for a combined score of 176.00. 

"It feels absolutely unbelievable, I am just completely over the moon with this result,” he said.

“Just to be here and make finals was a dream, so to end up in fifth place today was just amazing and I am so grateful for this opportunity." 

Luca Harrington in action during big air qualification in Georgia.

The brotherly camaraderie was evident at the bottom of the big air venue, with Ben cheering Luca on and running out to embrace him, drawing smiles from the crowd. 

Not only was this Luca’s career best result, it was also equal with the best big air result that New Zealand has ever achieved at a World Championships, matching Finn Bilous’ result from 2019.  

Ben's result equals the second best Freeski Halfpipe World Championships result that New Zealand has ever achieved, matching Byron Wells’ result from 2011. Nico Porteous holds the top result with the title win in 2021. 

This was the last day of competition in Bakuriani, Georgia and the end of the 2023 FIS Freeski and Snowboard Park and Pipe World Championships.  

Results: 

Men's Freeski Halfpipe World Championships

Men’s Freeski Big Air World Championships 

PHOTOS: FIS Freestyle / Buchholz