The XXV Winter Olympic Games are kicking off this weekend (Waitangi Day to be exact), and this may be our best team yet.

Not to pile pressure on the athletes, but this is officially the largest Winter Olympic squad we’ve ever sent, with 17 competitors heading to Milan and Cortina.

New Zealand’s recent success has reshaped our relationship with the Winter Games. Nico Porteous’ gold medal in Beijing and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott’s gold and silver haul cemented our place on the winter sports map. 

With Nico now retired, a new generation is stepping forward, and the depth across multiple disciplines has never been stronger.

These Games feel different. Kiwi athletes are no longer outsiders chasing moments; they’re genuine podium contenders alongside traditional powerhouses like Canada and the USA.

The momentum is already there. At the most recent X Games, New Zealand recorded its most successful medal haul in history - a result that sets the tone nicely heading into the biggest stage.

Despite being a lifelong sports fan, I’ll admit my winter sports expertise starts and ends at a chairlift. But if you want a cheat sheet on the Kiwis to watch, here’s where to begin.

New Zealand’s campaign opens with the men’s snowboard ‘Big Air’, where Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies and Rocco Jamieson compete at 8:30 pm NZT. Female competitors, Ruby Star Andrews and Sylvia Trotter, follow on 7 February at 11:30 pm.

A key athlete to keep an eye on is Zoi Sadowski-Synnott. She remains in peak form, collecting four World Cup podiums last season, gold and bronze at X Games, and the 2025 Snowboard Slopestyle World Championship title.

Catch her in action alongside fellow Kiwi Lucia Georgalli at 8:30 am on 9 February, with the final scheduled for 8:30 am the following morning.

Alice Robinson made history last year by winning silver at the World Championships and also reaching the podium in every Giant Slalom World Cup race. 

She races on 15 February at 11:00 pm, with the final run at 2:30 am the following morning.

It may be Luca Harrington's first Olympics, but Luca has already won a world championship, an X Games medal, and is the first Kiwi to win a Freeski Big Air Crystal Globe. He’s absolutely one to watch these games. 

Catch him on the snow at 3:00 am on the 8th of February.

Fin Melville Ives is another breakout freeski talent.

In 2025, he claimed his first World Cup podium and followed it up by winning the Halfpipe World Championship in his debut appearance.

He’ll be hitting the snow on the 19th of February at 11:30 pm, with the final taking place at 8:30 am on 21 February. 

There are plenty more athletes to keep an eye on, and you can do so via the NZ Team app schedule or the official athlete timetable.

Catch all the action live on Sky’s dedicated Olympic channels, or watch all the best moments free-to-air later on Sky Open.