Fin Melville Ives Breaks Collarbone in Olympic Halfpipe Final | Milano Cortina 2026

LIVIGNO, Italy – The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics suffered a sobering moment on Friday as New Zealand freeskier Finley Melville Ives sustained a significant injury during the men’s halfpipe qualification event at Livigno Snow Park. The 19-year-old, considered a gold medal favorite and the reigning world champion, was stretchered off the course after a heavy fall on his second run.

The incident unfolded as Melville Ives attempted a challenging jump, losing control upon landing and tumbling face-first into the snow. Medical personnel immediately attended to the athlete, and after several minutes of assessment, he was carefully transported off the course to a round of applause from the concerned crowd. His family, who had travelled to Italy to support him, were present as he received medical attention.

Initial reports indicate Melville Ives suffered a broken collarbone, according to his mother, Karen, who spoke with 1News. “He has a broken collarbone and a bit of a broken heart,” she said. Fortunately, his head was reportedly cleared of any serious injury. He was conscious and communicating with medical staff and his family.

Tom Willmott, the New Zealand team coach, provided an update, stating, “Our team doctor’s with him, his mum’s with him, and he’s doing okay. He was knocked out, but he’s conscious right now, he’s talking, and he’s doing okay. 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 okay.”

The fall came after a disappointing first run in qualification, adding to the pressure on the young skier. Melville Ives had entered the Games with considerable momentum, fresh off a breakthrough victory at the X Games halfpipe event and leading the World Cup points standings. Commentators described the crash as a “hard slam,” reflecting the severity of the impact and the collective concern within the freeski community.

The incident cast a shadow over the remainder of the qualification round, prompting an outpouring of support from fellow competitors. Kiwi teammate Ben Harrington dedicated his second qualifying run to Melville Ives, ultimately finishing ninth. “My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it,” Harrington said, highlighting the dedication and camaraderie within the New Zealand team.

Despite the unfortunate turn of events for Melville Ives, the men’s freeski halfpipe final proceeded with American Alex Ferreira claiming the gold medal with a score of 93.75. Estonia’s Henry Sildaru (93.00) and Canada’s Brendan Mackay (91.00) rounded out the podium. New Zealand’s Gustav Legnavsky and Luke Harrold did not advance to the final, finishing 14th and 15th respectively.

The injury to Melville Ives adds to a growing list of setbacks for the New Zealand team at the Milano Cortina Games. However, the nation has still secured three medals thus far. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott recently made history, becoming the most decorated Olympic snowboarder with a silver medal in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event February 19, 2026. Luca Harrington also contributed to the medal count, securing a bronze in the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle competition.

The focus now shifts to Melville Ives’ recovery. While the extent of his injuries is still being fully assessed, the initial reports offer a degree of reassurance. The New Zealand Olympic Team confirmed that his condition is stable and positive, and he is receiving the best possible care. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in freeskiing and the physical and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level.

The impact of this injury extends beyond the competitive arena. Melville Ives was widely regarded as a rising star in the sport, and his absence will be felt throughout the freeski community. His teammates, competitors, and fans around the world will undoubtedly be wishing him a swift and full recovery.