Queenstown Olympians Shine in Milano Cortina Winter Games

Queenstown’s athletes made a significant impact at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with standout performances from ski racer Alice Robinson and freeskier Ruby Star Andrews. Robinson, competing in her third Winter Olympics, achieved commendable finishes in both the giant slalom and super-G events, while Andrews concluded her inaugural Olympic campaign with resilience and determination.

Alice Robinson’s Close Call for a Medal

On Sunday, February 11, 2026, Robinson finished eighth out of 76 competitors in the giant slalom, coming just 0.18 seconds shy of a medal. Earlier in the week, she also secured eighth place among 43 participants in the super-G, where 17 competitors recorded a ‘did not finish’ (DNF). These results mark Robinson’s best Olympic performances to date.

In a post-race interview with Sky Sport, the 24-year-old reflected on her journey to the Games, mentioning a challenging lead-up to the Olympics. “I just felt like I couldn’t ski it any more, I just felt so dead,” she admitted. Despite her doubts, Robinson was able to deliver two strong runs that nearly earned her a podium finish.

She acknowledged that while she could have performed better, she was pleased with her results given the circumstances. “I still know I could have skied better, but the confidence still wasn’t, I think, where it needed to be to be really pushing the limits completely,” she said. Robinson drew inspiration from fellow competitor Federica Brignone of Italy, who won both the giant slalom and super-G at the age of 36. “I definitely have to keep ski racing for another four years now,” Robinson laughed, looking ahead to the future.

Ruby Star Andrews’ Resilient Olympic Debut

Meanwhile, Ruby Star Andrews, 21, completed her first Olympic experience with a 24th-place finish in the freeski big air event on Sunday. This achievement was particularly remarkable given her recent struggle with a dislocated hip sustained in November. Just days before competing, Andrews had faced uncertainty about her ability to participate.

Acknowledging the pressure she felt leading up to the event, Andrews expressed her desire to perform well. “I just wanted to show up … and give it everything and walk away being proud of myself and make my family proud and my country proud,” she stated. Despite the nerves, she managed to execute a strong performance, emphasizing her happiness to be healthy and skiing again.

Lyon Farrell’s Strong Showing in Snowboarding

In addition to Robinson and Andrews, Lyon Farrell, a 27-year-old snowboarder based in Hawai’i, also represented Queenstown at the Games. He placed 15th out of 30 competitors in the men’s snowboard slopestyle qualifier, narrowly missing the finals after previously securing a top-10 finish in the snowboard big air event.

The performances of these athletes not only highlight their individual skills but also showcase the growing prominence of Queenstown on the international winter sports stage. As these Olympians reflect on their experiences, they have set a strong foundation for future competitions and continue to inspire upcoming generations of athletes.