New Zealand’s teenage freeskier Luke Harrold has quickly gained recognition on the global stage. Born in Christchurch in 2008 and now residing in Lake Hāwea, he began skiing at Cardrona Alpine Resort.
Harrold debuted in the World Cup in 2023 and swiftly climbed the podium at the Secret Garden World Cup in the People’s Republic of China, earning silver in halfpipe at just 15 years old, making him the youngest Kiwi to win a World Cup medal. He built on this success by securing gold in halfpipe and bronze in Big Air during the 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Gangwon.
With support from an Olympic Solidarity scholarship granted in 2023, Harrold acknowledges this funding as pivotal on his journey to Milano Cortina 2026.
“It has been incredibly important,” he remarked. “Competing in a sport like this is quite challenging; there are numerous logistics involved, and it can be costly. Having that support is truly remarkable.”
In the 2024/25 season, Harrold recorded a season-best World Cup finish with a fourth-place result in Calgary against a competitive field. At the 2025 World Championships in Engadin, he made history by executing the first triple-cork rotation in freeski halfpipe competition, ultimately finishing fourth overall.
