The men's halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympics Milan Cortina was marked by a moment of great concern after the heavy fall of Finley Melville Ives, one of the favorites for the gold medal. The New Zealand athlete suffered a serious accident during the second run of the second qualifying race, just as he was beginning his series of tricks.
During his routine, Finley Melville Ives failed to land a jump. He crashed heavily into the snow and remained motionless on the ground for several seconds, causing considerable concern among the spectators, other competitors, and the technical staff present at the edge of the halfpipe.
Medical intervention and evacuation by stretcher
Live footage showed Finley Melville Ives lying on the track with very limited mobility, particularly in his left arm, which he appeared to be struggling to lower after the impact. This situation immediately prompted the intervention of the medical team, who suspended the competition to provide him with initial treatment.
After several minutes of on-site treatment, the athlete was immobilized and then evacuated on a stretcher under the watchful eyes of the public. The scene served as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of high-level halfpipe skiing, a spectacular discipline but one prone to particularly violent falls.
Reassuring news communicated by the New Zealand delegation
Shortly after the accident, an official statement from the New Zealand team was released. According to this statement, Finley Melville Ives "received a heavy blow", while specifying that he was conscious and in stable condition. The message added that "Everything is stable and positive" and indicated that the skier was undergoing medical evaluation, in the presence of his mother
Although Finley Melville Ives' condition was reassuring in the hours following the fall, the accident prematurely ended his run in the Milano Cortina 2026 halfpipe event. The New Zealander, considered one of the world's best specialists in the discipline and a serious contender for the Olympic title, will now have to focus on his recovery.
The freestyle skiing community is still awaiting further medical assessments to determine the duration of his unavailability and any potential consequences for the rest of his international career.
