Wānaka Freeskiers Share World Cup Podium In NZ First

Sunday, 23 February 2025, 7:15 pm
Article: RNZ

RNZ Sport

Freeskiers Luca Harrington and Ben Barclay have finished second and third place respectively at the FIS Freeski Slopestyle World Cup in Canada, making history for New Zealand snow sports.

For both Wānaka freeskiers it was their career-second Men's Freeski Slopestyle World Cup podium and they were thrilled to do it together.

It was the first time two Kiwi athletes have shared a Park & Pipe World Cup podium.

"We have put so much work in together - we train together every day, we travel together, so it was amazing to stand together on the podium," Harrington said.

"If there is one person I'm not too fussed bumping me down [from second into third] it is Luca," Barclay said. "Luca has been on a tear this season, so to join him on the podium is a dream come true, it was amazing."

With two jumps at the top of the Stoneham course and then three rail pads providing numerous line options, it was a competition that encouraged creativity.

Barclay opted for a technical run to show off his skills, including back-to-back double corked 1620s on the jumps and a bio 810 out of the first rail feature. Dropping at the start of the field, Barclay was initially positioned in first place, before Matej Svancer of Austria and team-mate Harrington leapfrogged him with their final runs.

Harrington, a big air specialist, made the most of the jumps putting down a switch right double corked 1800 Japan grab into a switch left double 1620 safety grab. The 20-year-old then laced together a technical rail section that included a gravity defying 450 gap between two rail features.

Svancer remained in the lead to take the win, with Harrington in second and Barclay in third with just 0.54 points separating the New Zealanders.

It was Harrington's best Slopestyle World Cup result and Barclay's first World Cup podium in just over three years.

The 23-year-old was thrilled to be back on the podium.

"It's been a long time coming and it is amazing to be on the podium in such a strong field," Barclay said.

For Harrington it was a special result.

"Honestly, this podium had been a huge one for me, I have been super grateful for all the big air results, but I don't want to be known as just a big air skier, slopestyle is harder so today meant a lot to me."

Snow Sports NZ head coach and pathway director, park and pipe Tom Willmott was thrilled but not surprised with the pair's results.

"Luca and Ben both delivered world-class slopestyle runs this morning, and making history for NZ snow sports is the cherry on top. The Snow Sports NZ Park & Pipe programme has been on a tear in 2025 achieving fantastic results in both Freeski and Snowboard across Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Big Air.

"I am stoked to see the boys execute their competition runs so well and to see both Luca and Ben share the podium is something very special. I also want to acknowledge the exceptional work of their lead coach Hamish McDougall, his dedication to all the athletes he works with is second to none."

© Scoop Media

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