Three Central Otago teenagers have helped New Zealand to its most successful ever day at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Luke Harrold - freeski, Lucia Georgalli - snowboard and Campbell Melville Ives - snowboard,  each won a bronze medal on Big Air finals day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea.

Competing on a bluebird day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea, Luke from Lake Hāwea looked primed from the outset, stomping a right double cork 1440 with a safety grab in his first run.

The 15-year-old backed that up with a left double cork 1440 with a stale grab in his second run for a solid score of 172.25.

“It’s a pretty amazing feeling, I’ve been working towards this competition for a while and to come out with third place is a dream,” says Luke.

“Training went well, the weather was great, and the jump was really nice so the whole competition flowed really nicely. It was crazy to compete in this field, everyone was throwing down so it’s been such a cool experience to compete here.”

Although he was unable to land his third run, the score was enough to secure Luke the bronze medal.

Canada’s Charlie Beatty took gold, with Japan’s Olly Nicholls winning silver.

New Zealand athlete Luke Harrold won bronze in the men’s Freeski Big Air competition at the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games. Photo: Supplied.

Lucia was up next in the women’s snowboard, looking to add to the silver medal she won earlier in the week in the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle.

The 17-year-old Wānaka athlete landed a backside 900, followed by a frontside 720 in her third run to secure the podium spot. 

“I didn’t really expect to medal,” says Lucia. “I’m kind of in disbelief but it’s awesome and I’m really stoked.”

Lucia Georgalli won bronze in the snowboard competition at the Big Air finals day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea. Photo: Supplied.

17-year-old Campbell Melville Ives rounded out the day for New Zealand.

The Wānaka athlete landed a cab 1440 with an indy grab in his first run, backing it up with a switch back 1260 in his second.

“I’m pretty happy, it was a great competition,” says Campbell. “I love riding with all these guys and it was so great to see everyone putting down their tricks.”

Campbell and Luke will compete in the men’s halfpipe on January 31, while Lucia now travels back to New Zealand before heading to the Northern Hemisphere World Cup circuit.

Campbell Melville won bronze in the snowboard competition at the Big Air finals day at Welli Helli Ski Resort in South Korea. Photo: Supplied.

About the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games

Gangwon 2024 is a celebration of sport, competition, culture and education, with the Games being held in the Gangwon Province (across 4 cities - Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong) of South Korea.

The Games is running from January 19 - February 1 and welcomes almost 2000 young athletes (aged between 14 and 18 years old) from around the world to compete in seven sports, 15 disciplines and 81 events.

New Zealand is represented by 22 athletes in Gangwon, consisting of seven freestyle/freeski athletes, five snowboard athletes, four curlers, three alpine ski racers, one luge athlete, one biathlete and one figure skater.

Gangwon 2024 aims to build upon the Olympic Games legacy, using many of the existing venues from the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The aim is to ensure a cost efficient and sustainable Youth Olympic Games, while at the same time providing young athletes the opportunity to compete in some of the same sites as Olympians did a few years ago.