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Join our Fantasy SRP leagueKiwi snowboarder soars into first Winter Olympics final
Sport Nation • February 12th, 2026 11:54 am
Cam Melville Ives after his 2nd run in the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifications | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/Photosport
Kiwi snowboarder Cam Melville Ives is through to the snowboard halfpipe final at his first Winter Olympic Games, qualifying eighth at Livigno Snow Park on Thursday (NZ time).
The Wānaka teen started his scoring off with an 84.75, pulling out the first triple cork of the night, before failing to stick the landing early into his second run.
Head Coach Tom Willmott was happy with how the debutant looked on his way to the final.
“Cam was on fire,” Willmott said. “There was a real high level which we knew was coming.
“It was a good night and he got the job done.”
Cam Melville Ives at the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifications | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/Photosport
After an interrupted second run, Melville Ives left a bit in the locker, something Willmott says will be coming out when it matters most.
“He was planning on stepping things up in the second run,” Willmott said. “He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve.
“It will definitely be more fireworks in the finals.
With team New Zealand already sniffing medal success, Willmott is hoping the Kiwi youngster can build off that energy.
"The buzz is so good. There's a really good culture, really good vibe amongst the crew.
"There's messages snowballing from one athlete to the next. Luca talked about how Lyon helped him in the start gate with the pressure of that third run. Things like that you just can't buy."
Reigning world champion Scott James of Australia topped qualifying with a 94.00 opening run, aiming to go one better than his silver from four years ago.
Japanese duo Yuto Totsuka and Ryusei Yamada both earned scores over 90 to round out the top three qualifiers.
Defending Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano finished just above our Kiwi in seventh as he continues his comeback from a broken hip suffered just a month ago.
The Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Final is scheduled to start at 7:30am NZT on Saturday morning.
