Lausanne, Switzerland | 11 January 2020
New Zealand has deployed a 20-athlete contingent to the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne (9–22 January), competing across nine disciplines—from alpine skiing to mixed-NOC ice hockey—in a showcase of the nation’s emerging winter sports talent.
New Zealand’s 20 athletes compete at Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics.
Strong Start on Ice
The Kiwi mixed doubles curling team (Zoe Harman, Lucy Neilson, Hunter Walker, Will Becker) opened with an 8–4 victory over Slovenia at the Chambéry Curling Centre. “A bit of nerves, but we stuck to our game plan,” the squad noted post-match. They face France next in pool play.
Snow Debut and Flag-Bearer Momentum
In alpine skiing, 16-year-old Harrison Messenger clocked 57.59 seconds in the men’s Super-G, placing 34th—a solid benchmark for the technical events ahead. Meanwhile, flag-bearer Campbell Wright (biathlon/cross-country) has commenced training, while freestyle skier Luca Harrington prepares for halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air contests, where finals contention is within reach.
Development Over Medals
Team NZ Chef de Mission Jesse Teat emphasized growth over podium pressure: “Youth Olympics are about experience. We want our athletes to learn, adapt, and rise to elite-level challenges.” This ethos extends to mixed-NOC events, where Jack Lewis represents the “Orange Team” in 3×3 ice hockey, fostering cross-border collaboration.
With freestyle skiing, short track, and snowboarding events ramping up this week, New Zealand’s young cohort aims to build momentum for future senior international campaigns.