New Zealand’s Melville Ives Claims Gold at Winter X Games

New Zealand skier Melville Ives delivered an impressive performance, securing gold in the men’s ski superpipe at the Winter X Games held in Aspen on March 4, 2024. This victory contributed to New Zealand’s most successful X Games to date, with athletes achieving a total of two gold and four silver medals.

Ives led the competition from the outset, scoring 89.33 on his first run. He then improved his score to 93.33 on his second attempt, culminating in an outstanding final run that earned him a score of 95.00. His remarkable display of both amplitude and technicality was highlighted by a switch right 9 that propelled him six meters into the air, showcasing his skill and courage.

Last year, as a rookie, Ives narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. This season has seen him achieve significant milestones, including winning silver at the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics and being crowned the 2025 FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Champion. In addition, he has secured two World Cup podium finishes, including a victory at Buttermilk and a second-place finish in Calgary.

Reflecting on his experience, Ives noted the challenging conditions but emphasized the electric atmosphere among the crowd. “It’s been super surreal. I’m just so grateful to have put down these runs in front of all the fans,” he remarked. A highlight for Ives was landing the switch 14, a trick he had never performed in competition before.

The success continued for New Zealand with Fin, who aimed to improve upon his fourth-place finish from the previous year. He executed a series of challenging maneuvers, including a switch right 9 into a switch left double 14, followed by back-to-back 16s, culminating in an allyoop double 9. This combination earned him a score of 95.00, securing him a spot on the podium.

In the men’s freeski halfpipe, Luke Harrold finished in sixth place, while Rocco Jamieson, who had won silver the previous day, narrowly missed the podium in the Men’s Knuckle Huck, finishing fourth. Additionally, rookie Dane Menzies placed 11th in the snowboard slopestyle event.

Looking ahead, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, featuring competitions across various Italian alpine venues. The performances at the Winter X Games serve as a promising indicator of the talent and potential of New Zealand athletes as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games.