After an “extensive global search”, Snow Sports NZ has appointed a high performance director who will have a regular presence in the organisation's Wānaka office, Snow Sports NZ CEO Nic Cavanagh says. 

Pete Sanford joins Snowsports NZ in the role after seven years as NZ Cricket’s head of high performance development. 

“As the Snow Sports NZ high performance director I look forward to supporting the people and the programmes to fulfill their potential, resulting in meaningful performances for the snow sports community and the wider NZ sporting system,” Pete said. 

Pete grew up skiing at Coronet Peak and at age 12 he got his first taste of alpine ski racing, which became a part of his life through until his early twenties. 

After studying psychology at university, Pete worked as a development coach for Ski Racing New Zealand, as an assistant alpine coach at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics and later in 2010 took on a role as a mental skills coach at High Performance Sport NZ.

He returned to winter sports in 2012 as the Snow Sports NZ mental skills coach, working through the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympics, before commencing his most recent role.

“I am thrilled to have Pete join our team,” Nic said. “...I am thrilled that the top candidate is somebody with extensive experience both within the New Zealand High Performance system and in Alpine Ski racing.

“With this knowledge and experience…Pete will be a fantastic addition to our team as we build towards Milano Cortina 2026.”

Pete will officially join the Snowsports team on September 26.

PHOTO: Supplied