Olivia Caldwell.
Youthful team targeting medal in South Korea, reports
The majority of the 21 Kiwis competing at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games this month weren’t even born when New Zealand won its first and only medal.
It was 25 years ago when Annelise Coberger claimed a silver in the alpine skiing slalom at the 1992 Games in Albertville, France.
A part of history, this isn’t lost on Nico Porteous, one of New Zealand’s medal hopes in the men’s ski half pipe and the second youngest Kiwi Winter Olympian at 16. Otago ski racer Alice Robinson, born eight days later, was a late selection in the NZ team.
Proving New Zealanders are in fact just separated by two degrees, Porteous attended primary school with Coberger’s children and says 2018 is the year New Zealand will bring home that long awaited second medal.
‘‘I can just remember the playground talk, that ‘mum won a medal at the Olympics’.
‘‘I would like to think that New Zealand will see a medal coming back after these Winter Olympics, and the athletes that I have talked to are certainly going to be giving it their best shot, but some of us are young to be on the world stage.’’
The Wanaka skier stood out at the 2017 Winter Games NZ at Cardrona where he finished sixth after landing an impressive double cork 1440 in the FIS World Cup ranked event.
A lot has been spoken of Porteous’ age competing on the world stage but this does not daunt him and he has become used to being the pup of the group.
‘‘This is my second year doing World Cups so I’ve been the youngest for a while now and quite used to it. Everyone is super friendly and makes an effort to include you. The only drawback is I’m too young to go to the after
parties, thing.
Too young to drink, but now a possibility for New Zealand’s first medal – the boy who grew up on skis since he was two feels like he has hit the jackpot as part of the Kiwi contingent.
‘‘The nerves are OK, but every now and again I see the date and I think how close the Games are and can feel the excitement building.’’
Porteous knows winter sports in
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New Zealand don’t rate highly as rugby and netball dominate Kiwi TV screens in the winter.
‘‘I think that with the All Blacks being so dominant in the world it is difficult for other sports to compete with them and we all like supporting a winning team. I’m really happy with the support I receive from the New Zealand public.’’
He has spent the last few months in rehab in Calgary, Canada, after he had a frightful knee injury, which he says may change his goals at the Games depending on how he feels when back on the snow.
He will be joined by his brother Miguel (18) who is entered in the same event. The pair have been training at the famous Olympic Park known for British ski jump sensation Eddie the Eagle and the iconic Jamaican bobsled team.
‘‘I think it’s so cool having each other at the top of the course waiting for your turn. We have always skied together, in fact it would probably feel stranger not having Miguel there.’’
Likewise the older of the two says it’s special having his brother alongside him at their very first Winter Olympics.
‘‘Competing with and against Nico is fun, I’ve been doing it since he was born – that’s what siblings do, isn’t it? Honestly though, it’s great that we can share this together and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘‘One of my first stories when I started at Elmwood School was ‘I am going to go to the Olympics and do a big jump, so it’s been in the back of my mind for a very long time. To represent your country on the world stage is such an honour.’’
South Korea will host the Games from February 9-25, with 3000 athletes from over 95 nations competing across seven sports, 15 disciplines and 102 events.
With 21 athletes competing under the flag, this is New Zealand’s biggest Winter Olympics contingent. The previous largest was 18 at Torino in 2006.
The only drawback is I’m too young to go to the after parties, but maybe that’s a good thing. Nico Porteous, 16
Adam Barwood, Finn Bilous, Duncan Campbell, Tiarn Collins, Shane Dobbin, Carlos Garcia Knight, Willis Feasey, Britt Hawes, Reyon Kay, Janina Kuzma, Peter Michael, Peter Michael, Reyon Kay, Shane Dobbin, Miguel Porteous, Nico Porteous, Jamie Prebble, Zoi Sadowski Synnott, Alice Robinson, Rakai Tait, Rhys Thornbury, Beau-James Wells, Jackson Wells, Byron Wells.