Nico Porteous will not defend Olympic halfpipe title, will remain active in skiing
'I've loved representing New Zealand. Wearing the fern and competing for my country has been the most incredible experience and I'm so proud of what I've achieved,' Porteous, 23, said in press release. 'This wasn't an easy decision to make, but I'm excited to do something new, and I feel like the time is right for me to look for a new challenge and new opportunities.'
Porteous plans to stay active in skiing through filming, product development and other competitions outside of the halfpipe, such as Natural Selection.
'I still love skiing, and I want to keep skiing to the best of my abilities and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the sport,' he said. 'Ultimately, I'm ready for something new. What that looks like I'm not exactly sure, but over the past few seasons I've enjoyed filming and producing videos, as well as working on gear and product design.'
In 2018, Porteous took halfpipe bronze in his Olympic debut, becoming at 16 the youngest skier to win an Olympic medal and the youngest New Zealand athlete to win a Winter or Summer Olympic medal.
In 2022, he landed back-to-back double cork 1620s on his first of three runs in the Olympic final. His 93-point score held up to take gold over Americans David Wise and Alex Ferreira, who had gone one-two in 2018.
Earlier in the 2022 Games, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the first New Zealand athlete to win a Winter Olympic gold medal, taking the women's snowboard slopestyle event.
Porteous last competed at a September 2024 World Cup in New Zealand, placing 31st. He also won X Games Aspen titles in 2021 and 2022 and the World Championships in 2021, also in Aspen.
Another man from New Zealand won the world title in ski halfpipe this past March — 18-year-old Finley Melville Ives — ahead of Americans Nick Goepper and Ferreira.
Nick Zaccardi,
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Decorated Megha Ganne adds U.S. Women's Amateur title in seventh and final try
BANDON, Ore. – Katie Rudolph's introduction to Megha Ganne came at a driving range in Union, New Jersey. It took just a few swings from the 7-year-old Ganne that day at Galloping Hill to captivate Rudolph, who then raced to Ganne's parents to ask them if she could take the reins as Ganne's coach. 'She was basically a miniature version of who she is right now,' Rudolph said. A big personality with an even bigger game. And it wasn't long before Rudolph was telling Ganne, 'Let's go be the best in the world.' Ganne took a massive leap toward that goal on Sunday at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where the now 21-year-old Ganne, a rising senior at Stanford, took down Michigan State grad Brooke Biermann, 4 and 3, in the scheduled 36-hole final of the 125th U.S. Women's Amateur. 'I'm not going to lie, I was thinking about this trophy like the entire day,' said Ganne, who never trailed against Biermann. Six times the intricate Robert Cox Trophy had eluded Ganne, a veteran of now 15 USGA championship starts, but no more. She gripped that thing tight and with both hands hoisted it way into the crisp, oceanside air. 'It's so much harder than it seems to win one of these,' Ganne said, 'and it takes not only like a lot of patience, tries at it, but so many things working in your favor – good health, good luck, good fortune, and good timing. All those things coming together just feels like it's fate.' Ganne entered this week ranked 11th in the world amateur rankings and with a sparkling resumé, even from a young age. She was a four-time Drive, Chip and Putt national finalist. She qualified for her first U.S. Girls' Junior in 2017, at just 13 years old, and a few weeks later did the same for her first U.S. Women's Amateur. Two years after that, she was the youngest match-play qualifier by four years at the 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur before losing in the semifinals in 19 holes to Albane Valenzuela. Then came Olympic. In her second U.S. Women's Open appearance, a 17-year-old Ganne arrived on the national stage in San Francisco by leading after the first round and later booking her place in Sunday's final pairing. Though she'd slip to T-14, she still captured low-amateur honors – and everyone's attention. 'We flew under the radar for a long time,' Rudolph said, 'but when Olympic happened, it was like, 'OK, let's say goodbye to those days because you're officially on the radar. You're going to be it moving forward.'' Ganne was the Rolex AJGA Junior Player of the Year that winter. The next summer, she went 3-0 in her Curtis Cup debut at Merion before heading off to Stanford, where she's won twice in three seasons while playing a pivotal role in the Cardinal's 2024 NCAA Championship, plus national runners-up in 2023 and this past spring. But when Ganne would hit putts in her family's basement in Holmdel, New Jersey, some 45 minutes south of New York City, it was to win USGA titles. She's always held these championships in high regards – the star-studded fields, elite venues, unmatched history. 'Every time the USGA sends me a feedback form, I never know what to say because I don't know how it could possibly get better,' Ganne said. Ganne was disqualified from her final U.S. Girls' Junior in 2022 for signing for an incorrect score, and she missed last year's U.S. Women's Amateur after withdrawing the week of with food poisoning, a fitting end to a frustrating summer that also saw Ganne miss the Curtis Cup and miss extended time with hip and back injuries. But that adversity strengthened Ganne, now healthier and more pliable, who navigated 119 holes this week on the David McLay Kidd layout. She tied for 10th in stroke play before winning each of her first four matches without needing to play the par-5 18th hole. That momentum, however, came to a screeching halt in Saturday's semifinal opposite Australia's Ella Scaysbrook, who led 4 up with seven holes to play. On the ropes, Ganne thought about that fearless 15-year-old who nearly pulled off the unthinkable. If she could rally then, surely she could again in what will be her last U.S. Women's Amateur (she will be pro by next summer). 'There are so many more things to believe in now, although I had a lot of belief at 15 as well,' Ganne said. 'But at 15, I don't think I had nearly the toolset that I do now; I have so many more shots in the bag, my physical game has evolved, my mental game has evolved. It felt like when I was 15, I had to be playing my absolute best golf just to contend with these players, which is a totally different feeling than I have now. I feel like if I play golf that I know is well within my limits and my control, I feel like I'm going to be tough to beat.' Ganne prevailed in 19 holes to book her place in the championship match against Biermann, who was arguably the sentimental favorite, a bubbly blonde from St. Louis with her dad, Bill, on the bag and younger sister Ashleigh, who has battled a rare chromosomal condition, walking the fairways. Biermann was also a sizable underdog. Ganne birdied two of the first three holes to take a 2-up lead through three holes of the morning portion. Though Biermann immediately responded with lengthy birdie makes to tie the match through five frames, the flatstick would soon be her downfall. She whiffed on 3-footers at Nos. 7 and 13, and Ganne went into the lunch break leading, 3 up. Biermann found a couple sparks in the afternoon, most notably a 12-foot birdie conversion at the par-5 13th to get the ledger back to 3 down. But when she three-putted from just off the green and about 25 feet away at the par-4 14th, Biermann knew that was it. Ganne and her superstar ball-striking, no more evident than the piercing 5-iron she hit to birdie the par-4 11th in the afternoon, were just too much. 'Unfortunately, the putter went cold today,' said Biermann, who will turn pro and enter LPGA Q-School next month, 'but overall, I felt like I gave it my all and I had a blast out here.' Moments later, Ganne landed her tee ball at the par-3 15th just off the left side of the green but only 18 feet from the hole, and after Biermann missed her birdie try, completed her two-putt for USGA immortality. 'To actually have that putt is surreal,' Ganne said. This time, though, she wasn't standing in her basement. When she dropped her putter and immediately put both hands over her mouth, Ganne was illuminated by the setting sun along the Oregon coastline. Golden hour, as they call it, had arrived, and soon, it wasn't hard to notice the shiny tears starting to roll down Ganne's face as she embraced her loved ones, including her parents, Hari and Sudha, and Rudolph. 'I hope this helps her take the lid off things and she just starts winning everything,' Rudolph said. That 7-year-old girl with the bright future? She's still the same girl, only now she's a U.S. Women's Amateur champion.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Olympic champion received last-minute bike help from Salvation Army
An Olympic champion who survived liver failure and won two gold medals at the British Transplant Games received last-minute bike help from The Salvation Army. GB athlete Jenny Glithero, who had a life-saving liver transplant in 2021, visited the charity's Recycles Booth House workshop in Swindon for repairs before the competition. She thanked the charity's social enterprise bike workshop for its assistance and community work. Held in Oxford from July 31 to August 3, the British Transplant Games saw Jenny secure gold wins in the women's 30-39 8km time trial and the 12km road race. Simon Styles, leading the Swindon Recycles project, said: "It's not every day an Olympic champion walks into our workshop. "We're honoured she trusted us with her bike at such a crucial moment—and thrilled her races ended in triumph. "Her story of resilience, from surviving liver failure to standing on the podium, mirrors the determination we see in the people we support every day." Following her visit, Jenny said: "Thanks so much for your generosity. "To receive a big smile and a helping hand two days before race day—fixing my pedals—meant the world. "The Salvation Army's work is incredible: getting people on bikes, upskilling, and offering purpose in times of need." Following her emergency liver transplant in May 2021, Jenny triumphed at the 2023 World Transplant Games, securing her reputation as a strong advocate for organ donation and post-transplant recovery. The Salvation Army's Swindon Recycles Booth House workshop blends practical skills training with mental health support. Its programme provides affordable bike sales, repairs, and servicing to the public, with proceeds reinvested into supporting participants. It offers mechanical skills training and structured mentorship to help people gain qualifications and employment opportunities. Simon added: "We're about more than bikes. "Jenny's win reminds us that with the right support, anyone can pedal past their limits." The initiative promotes community, purpose, and sustainability, aligning with The Salvation Army's mission to combat poverty and social exclusion. Read more: Lorry driver jailed after milkman killed in horror crash Whether through a low-cost bike for a struggling family or training for someone rebuilding their life, Recycles proves that second chances can roll forward. The Salvation Army, an international Christian church and registered charity, has been transforming lives for more than 150 years. Working in 134 countries worldwide, The Salvation Army offers friendship, practical help, and support for people at all levels of need. In the UK and Ireland Territory, this work includes more than 600 community churches and social centres.
Boston Globe
5 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Olympian Hezly Rivera edges Leanne Wong for victory at the US gymnastics championships
Final standings from the Senior Women's Competition at Full Results ➡️ — USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) Three weeks after a shaky meet at the US Classic, where she finished a distant 12th, Rivera responded with the kind of polished performance that all but assured her of a spot on the four-woman world championship team that will head to Jakarta, Indonesia, in October. Rivera, at the very least, locked up a spot in the world championship selection camp next month. So did Wong, a four-time world championship medalist. Third-place finisher Joscelyn Roberson, an Olympic alternate last summer, also figures to be at the selection camp as the three veterans put significant distance between themselves and the rest of a remarkably young field. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Golden yet again! 🥇 Hezly Rivera is the 2025 — USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) Advertisement Unlike LEANNE IS LOCKED IN 🔒 She scores a 13.950 on Balance Beam at — USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) Wong put pressure on Rivera from the start with a stuck Cheng vault and didn't relent over the course of two hours. Leanne Wong. Stuck Cheng. Watch — USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) Rivera responded each time — she posted the top scores on three of the four events — but it wasn't until she walked off the podium following her floor routine with victory in hand that she could relax. Advertisement Hezly Rivera shines on uneven bars with a stellar routine. 👏 📺 NBC & Peacock — NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) Roberson looked ready to make it a three-woman race until she tweaked her ankle on floor exercise during the second rotation. The rising sophomore at Arkansas, visibly limping at times, continued on anyway. She gritted her way through her vault dismount, though the five-tenths (0.5) deduction for using an additional pad for her protection took her out of contention for the all-around. Skye Blakely, who was injured at the Olympic Trials in both 2021 and 2024, was sublime on both uneven bars and balance beam to put herself in consideration to make the world team.
