When Nico Porteous won the Bronze Olympic Medal for the Freeski Halfpipe at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, he made history. Since then, Nico has continued to break records and mark his place as a world champion Freeskiier.
Background:
At just 16 years of age, Nico became NZ’s youngest Olympic medallist, NZ’s first freeskier to earn an Olympic medal and the first male NZ athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympic Games. Nico began skiing at the age of four on a family holiday to France. With Mum, Dad and older brother Miguel already keen skiers, he was determined not to miss out. With a solid skill base from race training under his belt, Nico made the switch to freeskiing at the age of nine and quickly began chalking up a string of top level results.
By thirteen he joined his brother chasing back to back winters, training and competing in Breckenridge in the USA and Cardrona Alpine Resort in NZ, balancing his sports commitments with school work. As one of the youngest skiers on the circuit he earned the nickname Nipsy but also the respect of the freeski elite.
Invitations to attend firstly as a forerunner and then as a bona fide competitor saw Nico showcasing his skills at the likes of X Games, Air+Style and the Jon Olsson Invitational.
Career highlights:
The 2015-2016 season saw Nico claim wins in freeski halfpipe at the Copper Mountain Rev Tour and the Calgary NorAM, earning him the overall title in FIS Freeski Halfpipe NorAM for the season.
In 2016, at the age of fourteen, Nico became the first Kiwi and youngest person in the world to land a triple cork 1440.
After winning bronze at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Nico returned home to New Zealand where he was crowned Junior World Champion in freeski halfpipe.
The 2018-2019 season got off to an incredible start when Nico claimed the first World Cup medal of his career, a silver, competing in Secret Garden, China. In January 2019 Nico won a bronze medal at X Games Aspen. He finished in second place on the 2018-2019 Freeski Halfpipe World Cup tour rankings, it was the best result for an NZ male in the FIS Freeski rankings.
During the 2020 season Nico finished in third place in the men's Modified Superpipe event at the Dew Tour. He was also a member of Team Atomic who won the Freeski team Challenge at the 2020 Dew Tour.
In 2022 at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Nico took home Gold for New Zealand with his brilliant first run of 93.00 (scored out of 100) in the men's halfpipe final.
In the 2022 New Year Honours, Nico was recognised for his services to snow sports and becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
Nico is also a keen ice hockey fan and avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
