Wānaka sixteen year-old Finley Melville Ives has finished sixth this morning at the FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Colorado.

This was the first halfpipe World Cup of Finley’s career, competing against some of the world's best athletes.

“It’s so amazing to land the run you’ve wanted to do at your first world cup, it was such a crazy atmosphere and so cool to be a part of it,” he said. 

Finley showed maturity beyond his years to complete a near perfect first run in the final. Upping the ante in his second run he failed to land a very technical right double cork 1620. He tried the same maneuver in his third and final run and this time he stomped it.

“My highlight of the day was landing that right 1620, as I have only landed it once prior to this and never before in competition,” Finley said.  

It was also a good day for Wanaka Olympian Gustav Legnavsky (17) who finished seventh after stomping an alley opp double cork 900 in his final run.

Gustav Legnavsky (left) and Fin Melville Ives immediately after World Cup finals today. PHOTO: Snow Sports NZ

See the full results here.