'That one was for you brother': Teammates and rivals left 'devastated' after Kiwi gold medal favourite's heavy crash
Kiwi gold medal favourite Finley Melville Ives has been ruled out of competition after he had to be stretchered away following a heavy crash in the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifying at Milano Cortina 2026.
The 19-year-old current halfpipe world champion fell on both qualification runs, but more seriously on the second, when he landed heavily from a jump, bumping his head and sliding to a halt with one leg bent at the knee.
"He took a big hit, didn't he? We all saw that," New Zealand head coach Tom Willmott said in a statement.
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"He's knocked out, but he's conscious right now. He's talking. He's doing OK; he's getting full checks, scans, x-rays, all the rest of it just to fully rule anything out. But yeah, I can let you know he's doing OK."
Finley Melville Ives had to be stretchered off the course after heavy crash. Getty
Medics at the alpine resort of Livigno intervened quickly, while spectators fell silent for several tense minutes before Melville Ives was taken away, accompanied by his mother who was among the crowd.
Teen sensation Melville Ives came to his first Olympics at Milano Cortina after winning the world championship on his first attempt in 2025 and fresh from a superpipe gold at the X Games last month.
"I'm honestly devastated for him because I think Fin is the best pipe skier in the world right now, period," Britain's Gus Kenworthy said.
Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.
The Kiwi crashed heavily in the second qualifying run. Getty
Kenworthy, one of the 12 freeskiers who advanced to the halfpipe final, said it was really hard to see Melville Ives' teammates crying after the accident.
"I know that he's got plenty more Olympics in him," he added.
"I have zero doubt that he'll come back and get Olympic gold or something."
New Zealand will be represented by Ben Harrington, who dedicated his own qualification to his unlucky teammate.
"If you're listening, that one was for you brother, putting you and New Zealand on my back."
