New Zealand Selects 17 Athletes to Chase Record Medal Haul at Milano Cortina Games
New Zealand officials have finalized a robust squad of 17 athletes for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, this marks a strategic push to surpass the nation's historic performance in Beijing. The team features defending gold medalist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott among the contingent heading to Italy this February.
History of Success Sets High Expectations for Current Squad
New Zealand has steadily evolved from a minor participant into a legitimate winter sports contender since debuting in 1952, the 1992 Games proved pivotal when Annelise Coberger secured the first medal for the Southern Hemisphere. Recent history suggests an upward trajectory, the team that traveled to Beijing in 2022 achieved a breakthrough with three medals including two golds. This legacy of excellence places a spotlight on the current generation, they must now navigate the pressure of matching or exceeding those unprecedented results on Italian snow. The 2026 team aims to capitalize on this momentum, the program has shifted focus from merely qualifying to actively contending for podium spots.
Official Roster Confirms Mix of Veterans and New Talent
Selectors confirmed the final nine roster spots on January 23 to complete the 17 member team, the lineup includes 11 men and six women competing across alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott anchors the snowboarding squad, she aims to defend her slopestyle title and improve upon her silver in Big Air. Alpine specialist Alice Robinson returns for her third Olympic campaign, she enters the competition with strong recent World Cup form in Giant Slalom events. The schedule kicks off immediately on February 6, men's snowboard Big Air qualifications will test these athletes right after the opening ceremony at Stadio San Siro in Milan.
Rising Stars Join Established Champions
The delegation features a unique family dynamic with multiple sets of siblings, these include Cam and Fin Melville Ives alongside Luca and Ben Harrington. Youth development pathways have proven effective, Luca Harrington brings experience from his bronze medal performance at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympics. Other key team members include freestyle skiers Ruby Star Andrews and Sylvia Trotter, they will compete alongside a talented snowboarding group that features Lyon Farrell and Rocco Jamieson. This blend of veteran leadership and youthful energy defines the squad, coaches believe this balance is essential for success across the dispersed Italian venues.
Strong Delegation Signals Evolution of National Winter Sports
Sports administrators view this team size as evidence of significant growth in domestic snow sports programs, the presence of fierce competitors signals a shift from participation to podium contention. Young athletes across New Zealand may find inspiration in this diverse roster, the inclusion of teenage talent demonstrates a sustainable pipeline for future Games. Logistics managers face the challenge of supporting athletes across scattered venues in Milan and Cortina, success here could permanently cement the nation's status as a winter sports powerhouse.
Competition concludes with the closing ceremony at the Verona Arena on February 22, officials remain optimistic that this squad will return home with the heaviest medal collection in the nation's history.
