Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harrold (15) has made history with New Zealand’s first-ever individual gold medal at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The moment was made more special with teammate Fin Melville Ives (Wānaka, 17) claiming the silver medal in the freeski halfpipe event on a bluebird day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea.

“It feels pretty unreal right now, it’s been an amazing day,” Luke said.

“You only come here once and to come away with the gold is so great. I’ve been working really hard so I’m really happy.”

Luke was incredibly impressive, dropping two switch ally-oop double cork 900s as well as a double cork 1260, to score a huge 94.25-point run first up in the finals.

Luke in action during the freeski halfpipe competition.

Fin answered with a three double run which included a right double 12, left double 12, and an ally-oop double flat 900 to score 92.50.

Those scores remained the two highest for the competition, securing the top two podium spots for New Zealand.

Fin said it was special to share the podium with his teammate.

“It was so cool to be up there with Luke,” he said.

“Today’s been a dream, to have fun and get to go on the podium with your teammate is so sick.”

Snow Sports New Zealand coach Brad Prosser said the medallists have a big future ahead of them.

“These guys are the future, there’s big things coming soon,” he said.

“They both have the drive and the potential. Watching them work over the past few weeks and months has been amazing and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

It’s the first time New Zealand has ever won an individual gold medal at any edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, and the first time there has ever been two New Zealanders on the same podium at any form of Winter Olympic Games.

The results take New Zealand’s medal tally at the Games to seven medals; 1x gold, 2x silver, and 4x bronze.

The Team has one more day of competition, with Snowboard Halfpipe tomorrow (February 1).

PHOTO: ANOC Olympic