First-time Winter Olympian Dane Menzies has slipped off the rostrum late to complete sixth within the males’s snowboard Large Air closing at Milano Cortina 2026.
Considered one of three Kiwis within the 12-man closing, Menzies, 20, sat third after the opening two runs, one of many few with constant performances throughout each makes an attempt.
The door was nonetheless extensive open for these behind him to enhance their standings and he was surpassed by NZ-born American Ollie Martin. Italian favorite Ian Matteoli and eventual winner Kira Kimura from Japan.
Needing a giant soar to retain his medal hopes, Menzies couldn’t management his touchdown, faceplanting arduous into the arduous snow.
“Tremendous stoked, however fairly bummed on the similar time, simply to not land that final one,” he advised Sky Sport. “Solely up from right here, so I am joyful.
“It was superior. Undoubtedly, everybody was fairly locked in, however it was good to have [teammates] there to sit back.
“To this point, tremendous particular and realising this can be a huge deal. Undoubtedly hungry for extra and searching ahead to the following.”
Kimura had the perfect soar of the opening spherical, however crashed on touchdown on his second. He responded magnificently together with his third, recording the perfect rating of the night time and ending with the 2 greatest for a complete victory.
Teammate Ryoma Kimata completed second, whereas defending champion Yiming Su of China took the bronze medal.
American-born Kiwi Lyon Farrell was the perfect of the NZ contingent by means of the opening spherical, however couldn’t replicate that efficiency throughout the second and third, ending eighth, whereas Rocco Jamieson was one place again.
All three will return to competitors on Tuesday (NZT) for slopestyle qualifying.
