The Upper Clutha’s strong snow sports presence has been reinforced with the announcement of nine more athletes to the New Zealand team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, taking the confirmed squad to 17 competitors.

The latest selections include five local athletes (bringing the Wānaka contingent to 11) including halfpipe freeskier Ben Harrington whose younger brother Luca had already secured his spot on the team.

“I’m super stoked to join the New Zealand Team for Milano Cortina 2026,” Ben said.

“It’s also pretty cool to be in the same team as my younger brother, Luca, it’s a really special moment for our family.”

Other athletes announced today are freeskiers Gustav Legnavsky and Mischa Thomas, along with freeski slopestyle and big air athletes Lucas Ball and Sylvia Trotter. The snowboard contingent has also been strengthened with the selection of Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies, Rocco Jamieson and Lucia Georgalli.

Snow Sports NZ chief executive Nic Cavanagh said the team has “enormous potential”.

“In addition to experienced Olympians and world champions, we are seeing a crop of fearless, young athletes emerge and stamp their mark on the international stage.”

He said the depth of talent coming through Wānaka-based programmes was a reflection of years of athlete development supported by local clubs, resorts, parents, and coaches.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be held from February 6-22 across venues in northern Italy.

Read more:

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Five Wānaka athletes in first eight for Milano Cortina NZ Team

Full NZ Team (local athletes in bold):

Ruby Star Andrews - Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

Lucas Ball - Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air 

Ben Barclay - Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air 

Lyon Farrell - Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air 

Lucia Georgalli - Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air 

Ben Harrington - Men’s Freeski Halfpipe 

Luca Harrington - Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air 

Luke Harrold - Men’s Freeski Halfpipe 

Rocco Jamieson - Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air 

Gustav Legnavsky - Men’s Freeski Halfpipe 

Cam Melville Ives - Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe 

Fin Melville Ives - Men’s Freeski Halfpipe 

Dane Menzies - Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air 

Alice Robinson - Women’s Alpine Skiing 

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott - Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air 

Mischa Thomas - Women’s Freeski Halfpipe 

Sylvia Trotter - Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

PHOTO: Snow Sports NZ