Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 2026 Formula 1 season will feature some of the biggest technical changes in the history of the sport, since the inaugural season in 1950.

The cars get an overhaul with the two testing sessions in Bahrain in February critical in preparation for the start of the new championship in early March.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

2026

The new championship will hopefully provide a much needed spark which 2025 lacked until Max Verstappen’s late run for a fifth title.

Lando Norris is the defending champion and McLaren can expect to be among the frontrunners again. His team-mate Oscar Piastri faded in 2025, but will be hoping to be the front-runner this time while Verstappen can never be discounted.

However, new car regulations mean there is some unpredictability as to which teams will be the strongest.

With Andrew Newey in charge at Aston Martin it is hoped that they can be contenders with new engine supplier Honda, while Red Bull will debut their new power units in association with Ford.

Mercedes are expected to have their power unit up to speed at the start of the season.

There is one new driver – Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls, the return of another two – Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac, and plenty of experience with Fernando Alonso, 44, and Lewis Hamilton at 40 the two oldest drivers.

Throw in a new track, new team, and 2026 is shaping up to be a good one.

Cars

Formula 1 fans will be hearing a lot about Boost, Overtake, Active Aero and Recharge in 2026.

The changes to the regulations are the first since 2022, when aerodynamic designs were overhauled to promote closer racing.

The aerodynamics get another overall with the Drag Reduction System (DRS) replaced by a manual override engine mode.

At top speeds the hybrid engines will get a boost of electric power. It can only be used when a car is within one second of another.

The engines themselves remain a 1.6-litre V6 turbo but there is a significant increase in electrical energy meaning a 50-50 split between electric power and the energy produced by the internal combustion engine.

The cars will be slightly smaller and weigh about 30kg less, while tyres will also be slightly smaller in width.

Each team will use 100 percent sustainable fuel.

There is a significant increase in the team budget cap in 2026, rising from NZ$230 million to NZ$370m, primarily to cover the research and development costs for the new technical regulations.

Schedule

There is just one new Grand Prix in 2026 with Madrid replacing Imola, however there is a shift in scheduling.

The Madrid race will be held on a hybrid street/permanent circuit in September. The Canadian Grand Prix moves from June to May and will follow the race in Miami.

There are six sprint races in Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort and Singapore.

The Dutch Grand Prix will be run for the last time in August under its current contract.

Teams

Most notable in 2026 is the arrival of Cadillac with the General Motors brand the first new constructor since Haas in 2016. They will use Ferrari power units initially but the team hopes to be manufacturing their own in 2029.

Cadillac signed experience drivers Valterri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

Sauber becomes Audi this year with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg retained from 2025 with the team using Audi engines instead of Ferrari.

Aston Martin changes to Honda engines, while Red Bull and Racing Bulls are now producing their own engines in association with Ford.

There is just one new driver to the F1 grid in 2026 with Arvid Lindblad promoted from F2 to join New Zealand’s Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.

World champion Lando Norris has taken over number 1 for his car in 2026, while former champion Max Verstappen is switching to number 3.

Teams (engine, drivers and numbers)

Alpine – Mercedes, Pierre Gasly (10), Franco Colapinto (43)

Aston Martin – Honda, Fernando Alonso (14), Lance Stroll (18)

Audi – Audi, Gabriel Bortoleto (5), Nico Hulkenberg (27)

Cadillac – Ferrari, Sergio Perez (11), Valtteri Bottas (77)

Ferrari – Ferrari, Charles Leclerc (16), Lewis Hamilton (44)

Haas – Ferrari, Oliver Bearman (87), Esteban Ocon (31)

McLaren – Mercedes, Oscar Piastri (81), Lando Norris (1)

Mercedes – Mercedes, George Russell (63), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (12)

Red Bull – Red Bull-Ford, Max Verstappen (3), Isack Hadjar (6)

Racing Bulls – Red Bull-Ford, Liam Lawson (30), Arvid Lindblad (41)

Williams – Mercedes, Alex Albon (23), Carlos Sainz (55)

Qualifying

Battery power is set to make an impact in qualifying with fastest laps likely to be determined by preparation laps where drivers will endeavour to charge their batteries as much as possible.

Extra speed will be determined by the battery power so drivers will not want to use that any more than necessary as they build up to their quick lap, but that could be affected by traffic.

The driver controls the car’s battery, not the software.

Drivers use and charge battery energy as they accelerate and brake so they will have to manage their way around a lap knowing when to push and when to conserve so they can keep enough in the battery.

Liam Lawson

After making his debut in 2023, Lawson has now raced in 35 Grand Prix.

He had a torrid 2025 after starting the year in Red Bull before being demoted to Racing Bulls after two rounds. Lawson finished 15th in the driver standings with seven top 10 finishes, his best was fifth in Azerbaijan.

However, he also had five DNF’s and will need to be more consistent this year.

With Isack Hadjar now promoted to Red Bull, Lawson is the senior driver at Racing Bulls, who have promoted Arvid Lindblad from F2.

Lawson believes he will be better.

Calendar

1/ March 6-8 Australian Grand Prix

2/ March 13-15 Chinese Grand Prix

3/ March 27-29 Japanese Grand Prix

4/ April 10-12 Bahrain Grand Prix

5/ April 17-19 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

6/ May 1-3 Miami Grand Prix

7/ May 22-24 Canadian Grand Prix

8/ June 5-7 Monaco Grand Prix

9/ June 12-14 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

10/ June 26-28 Austrian Grand Prix

11/ July 3-5 British Grand Prix

12/ July 17-19 Belgian Grand Prix

13/ July 24-26 Hungarian Grand Prix

14/ Aug 21-23 Dutch Grand Prix

15/ Sept 4-6 Italian Grand Prix

16/ Sept 11-13 Spanish Grand Prix

17/ Sept 25-27 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

18/ Oct 9-11 Singapore Grand Prix

19/ Oct 23-25 United States Grand Prix

20/ Oct 30-Nov 1 Mexican Grand Prix

21/ Nov 6-8 Brazilian Grand Prix

22/ Nov 19-21 Las Vegas Grand Prix

23/ Nov 27-29 Qatar Grand Prix

24/ Dec 4-6 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February. As usual, each team has gone through an eventful off season, so today we’re checking in on a Chiefs side desperately looking for a title win.

Read: Highlanders preview

Read: Moana Pasifika preview

Read: Blues preview

Read: Hurricanes preview

Overview

Another year, another heartbreak for the Chiefs is the best way to sum up 2025. After dominating the regular season, they stumbled in the first round of playoffs and lost home ground advantage for the eventual final against the Crusaders. It ended up being their third consecutive final defeat in a row, ruining Clayton McMillan’s exit and equalling the most amount of finals lost by one team.

The Good

The Chiefs are once again stacked with talent and will have Wallace Sititi fit and ready to go from the start of the season. Damian McKenzie is absolutely lethal at this level and they’ve added a new weapon in Kyren Tamouefolau outside him, in an already very productive backline.

There’s also minimal changes to the pack, so it should be easy for new coach Jonno Gibbes to simply continue what McMillan had built.

The Bad

Just how much of a psychological effect will three finals losses in a row have on this group? It’s something that they will be reminded of at every opportunity, probably starting with their Blues opponents this weekend as soon as the ball is kicked off. Shaun Stevenson is a big loss too, as he very much embodied the culture of the team.

Big boots to fill

Tamouefolau arrives from Moana Pasifika after an outstanding 2025 season. It’s not so much about what he needs to replace at the Chiefs, as he’s effectively taking Stevenson’s spot, more living up to the hype that had him in some conversations about an eventual All Black call up.

What makes Chiefs fans different

They know pain by now, that’s for sure. Three years of losing to the Blues and Crusaders (twice) would make any fan be somewhat dreading the prospect of having to go through it all again. However, they breed them tough in Chiefs country and even though their record is now the same as the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl, the fans will show up in numbers as always.

Big games

Three massive fixtures to open the season, with the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders set to give a brutal gauge on whether the Chiefs will be title contenders again. They then play those same three opponents to close out the regular season as well, with another grudge match against the Blues looming in Hamilton.

Chiefs 2026 squad

Props: Benet Kumeroa, George Dyer, Jared Proffit, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Ahio

Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Taine Kolose, Tyrone Thompson

Locks: Aisake Vakasiuola, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i

Loose forwards: Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Xavier Roe

First fives: Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Tepaea Cook-Savage

Midfield: Daniel Rona, Kyle Brown, Lalakai Foketi, Quinn Tupaea

Outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Isaac Hutchinson, Kyren Taumoefolau, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert posted a T20 World Cup record partnership of 175 as the Black Caps crushed the United Arab Emirates by 10 wickets with almost five overs to spare in Chennai on Tuesday.

Chasing the UAE’s 173-6, Seifert struck an unbeaten 89 and Allen scored 84 not out as they pummelled the UAE bowling to all parts of the ground in an unbroken opening stand.

The opening pair crashed 78 from the first six-over power play and posted their century stand off only 8.3 overs.

Seifert hit one of his three huge sixes to clinch the contest after just 15.2 overs, he also struck 12 fours. Allen had five sixes and five fours.

They beat the previous record for any wicket at a T20 World Cup — an unbroken 170 by England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in the semi-final of the 2022 edition at the Adelaide Oval.

“The main thing is that we’re playing how we want to play, especially me and Finn putting pressure on the bowlers in the power play,” said Seifert, who was named player of the match.

“Every game’s going to be a little bit different, every ground’s going to be different.

“So in a World Cup, you’ve just got to be able to adapt to the conditions you’re playing in.”

Seifert said he was unaware the pair had posted a new World Cup record partnership for any wicket.

“No, I didn’t know that,” he said. “I’m not much of a stats guy, but look, we’ll take it.”

The UAE’s 173-6 was largely thanks to their captain Muhammad Waseem’s 66 not out.

Choosing to bat first, Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 for the second wicket.

It took a sensational piece of New Zealand fielding to break the partnership.

Mark Chapman intercepted a Sharafu slog-sweep a whisker inside the boundary and before he stepped over the ropes relayed the ball to Daryl Mitchell to complete the dismissal.

The 31-year-old Waseem, who was one of only three current UAE players to play in their last appearance in a T20 World Cup in 2022, hit four fours and three sixes in facing 45 balls.

New Zealand kicked off the campaign with a clinical five-wicket win over Afghanistan on Sunday. They have a four-day break as they head to Ahmedabad for a crunch match with South Africa on Sunday, before playing their final group game against Canada next Tuesday.

– AFP

See how every ball was played below:

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Luca Harrington has claimed a bronze medal for New Zealand in the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle event overnight at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

Birk Ruud of Norway took the gold medal, while silver went to American Alex Hall.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A stunning Men’s T20 World Cup record 175-run opening stand between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert has led New Zealand to an emphatic 10-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in Chennai.

Set 174 runs to win, the Black Caps took just three runs off the first over but it didn’t take long for the fireworks to begin as Allen and Seifert went blow for blow as they reached 78/0 in the Powerplay.

The drinks break brought very little respite as Allen and Seifert kept the boundaries coming despite a quality four-over stint by Haider Ali that went for just 27 runs. Seifert went past 50 in just 23 balls, before Allen brought his half century up a few overs later off just 27 balls. The ding dong battle between the openers went right to the wire – with Seifert claiming the honours with the match-winning six to finish on 89* off 42.

No matter what the UAE tried, they were unable to restrict the flow of boundaries on a very good batting pitch. Haider showed the way as he rarely strayed from a good length on the stumps that proved hard to get away. Paceman Muhammad Rohid was particularly expensive as he was carted for 51 runs in just 3.2 overs.

The UAE are back in action on Friday afternoon where they will take on Canada in a winnable encounter in Delhi.

New Zealand kicked off their campaign with a clinical five-wicket win over Afghanistan on Sunday. They have a four-day break as they head to Ahmedabad for a crunch match with South Africa on Sunday, before playing their final group game against Canada next Tuesday.

Follow every ball below:

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps will face the United Arab Emirates in their second match of the Twenty20 World Cup in Chennai tonight.

New Zealand kicked off their campaign with a clinical five-wicket win over Afghanistan on Sunday.

The Black Caps sit second behind South Africa in Group D. The two sides will meet on Sunday, before New Zealand play their final group game against Canada next week Tuesday.

Follow every ball below:

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Four players yet to make first-grade debuts will start for NZ Warriors in their pre-season trial against Manly Sea Eagles at Napier on Saturday.

With seven of his roster away on Māori-Indigenous All Stars duty in Rotorua the same night, coach Andrew Webster has had to dig deep into his extended group to fill a 28-man gameday squad.

Among the backs, fullback Geronimo Doyle and half Luke Hanson both helped the Warriors reserves to NSW Cup and NRL Interstate glory last season, while winger Haizyn Mellars has joined the club from the South Sydney programme.

Englishman Morgan Gannon is another newcomer, taking his place in the second row, while Kayliss Fatialofa claims an interchange spot.

Webster has also named 11 reserves, who likely get a run in the latter stages.

“We’re going to put a strong side out,” he insisted. “We’re really proud that we have a lot of representation with the all-stars game.

“I think we’re the most supported in the NRL and, if you look at all those players, they’re all in contention for round one, so this gives a lot of people opportunities to step up and take their chance.”

“I hope we practice things – you have emphasis on different things in a pre-season and I hope we practice that this week, but at the same time, I hope we have that balance in our game, where you still have a hard edge and we still know what our identity looks like while we’re practicing.”

Missing with the Māori team are Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban and Adam Pompey, while newcomer Alofiana Khan-Pereira lines up for the Indigenous team on the wing.

Among other notables missing from action this week are co-captain Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf (still nursing their season-ending knee injuries back to full fitness), fullback Taine Tuaupiki, centre Rocco Berry (who underwent two off-season shoulder surgeries), five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita and second-rower Marata Niukore.

Webster hinted he might have considered easing his veterans into the season, but the all-star absences forced his hand to bolster the line-up with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell.

“When all those fans buy their tickets and go to the game this weekend, they will be, like, ‘Wow, this is a strong team’, rather us only playing our young guys.”

The Warriors’ first line-up of the year is:

1. Geronimo Doyle, 2. Haizyn Mellars, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Demitric Vaimauga, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Morgan Gannon, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 17. Kayliss Fatialofa

Reserves: 18. Makai Tafua, 20. Motu Pasikala, 21. Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 24. Daeon Amituanai, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Paea Sikuvea, 27. Brandon Norris, 28. Harry Inch, 29. Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi

Meanwhile, the Manly line-up has more of an experimental appearance, with hooker Brandon Wakeham and second-rower Corey Waddell named co-captains, and teenagers Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large combining in the halves, where club legend Daly Cherry Evans will be missing for the first time since 2011.

After 352 games for the Sea Eagles, Cherry Evans, 36, has switched to Sydney Roosters for 2026.

The Manly line-up is:

1. Blake Metcalfe, 2. Blake Wilson, 3. Clayton Faulalo, 4. Josh Feledy, 5. Navren Willett, 6. Onitoni Large, 7. Joey Walsh, 8. Sione Laiafi, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Paul Bryan, 11. Jackson-Levi Shereb-Schmidt, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Caleb Navale

Interchange: 14. Zaidas Muagututia, 15. Hugo Hart, 16. Viliami Fifita, 17. Kylan Mafoa

Reserves: 18. Tyler Melrose, 19. Andrew Johansson, 20. Benjamin Keene-O’Keefe

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Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ Warriors veterans Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell have fended off speculation about their future with the Auckland-based club, as they prepare for the NRL season.

The 2026 campaign will begin this weekend with a pre-season hitout against Manly Sea Eagles at Napier and coach Andrew Webster confirms his two stalwarts will hit the ground running, with so many of his roster away on Māori-Indigenous All-Stars duty.

Both Tuivasa-Sheck – the club’s 2025 Simon Mannering Medal winner – and Capewell are off contract the end of this season, and this may be their last go-around at Mt Smart, although neither are giving much away.

“My head is still down in the trenches for the pre-season,” Tuivasa-Sheck, 32, insisted. “Just trying to turn up each day, each week for the grind, because everyone is so fast and I have to keep up.

“Future stuff I will get to at some stage, but I’m always putting my actions on the field and do my talking from there.”

Tuivasa-Sheck probably can’t afford to say too much about what lies in store beyond this season.

The former All Black and NZ Kiwi, now a Toa Samoa league international, has previously been connected with the rebel Rugby360 competition, which was due to begin in 2027, but has now been pushed back a year.

The NRL threatened a 10-year ban on any player joining the exodus to the tournament, but recently backflipped, when NSW State of Origin star Zac Lomax was released from his Parramatta Eels contract, only to be caught out by the R360 postponement.

Australian Rugby League Commissioner chairman Peter V’Landys told The Daily Telegraph that the NRL would still register a new deal for Lomax for the coming season.

Tuivasa-Sheck is likely watching how all this pans out, before confirming his path forward. He has admitted R360 is an option, offering a big payday in the final years of his distinguished career, but so was an extension with the Warriors.

“I never want Roger to leave the club,” Webster said. “I think it’s similar to Tohu [Harris], Shaun Johnson… just really good dialogue between him and myself at the back end of last season.

“The season is long and he was our player of the year. If Roger has another season like that, and he wants to stay and wants to keep playing, I think it will be a no-brainer.

“At this time of year, we just let his footy do the talk. I know Roger is motivated and will do a good job.”

Capewell, 32, is in a completely different situation.

“I’ve thought about it, I just have to see how everything plays out and we’ll work it out from there,” he teased.

The Queensland Origin star has enjoyed success at almost every stop along his career, scoring a matchwinning try for Penrith Panthers in their 2021 Grand Final win over Melbourne Storm and helping Brisbane Broncos to the season climax two years later.

In his two seasons across the Tasman, the second-rower was part of a trainwreck 2024 run that failed to build on the success of the previous year, then often found himself out of position in the centres, as injuries derailed the Warriors’ hopes of a deep playoff run.

His goal for this season is straightforward..

“I want to win the comp,” he chuckled. “To be the first to do that is a chance you don’t get too often anywhere, so that’s what I want to do.”

As well as his playing ability, Capewell has taken on the role of father figure to the club’s promising brigade of back-rowers and also stepped into an unofficial leadership position, when co-captain Mitch Barnett was lost to a season-ending knee injury last season.

“I just want to do my role for the team, wherever that may be,” he said. “I want to play some of my best footy and get the wins.

“Like I said, I’m here to win a comp – that’s what my sights are set on. Obviously, there’s a lot of water to go under bridge throughout the season, but I just want to play my best footy to help the team win.”

Hopefully, if his body allows, he will bring up his 200th NRL appearance this season in a Warriors jersey.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Rico Simpson is no stranger to expectation.

The schoolboy prodigy has been long tipped as the next star off the New Zealand rugby conveyor belt.

Now in his first, full-time Super Rugby season, Simpson is looking to become a household name and fill the boots of one of the world’s best.

After a year spent in the wider squad, Simpson said he feels more comfortable now both in the team and with the hype surrounding him.

“I think I took a lot of it as I went along the way, guys in similar positions I got to be alongside, I think it’s always going to be part of the game. You’re always going to have those expectations and pressures from fans, coaches. It’s kind of been a part of me since probably year 13.”

With Beauden Barrett sitting the first few weeks of Super Rugby out, the door is open for Simpson.

“Last year I got to just get a taste of it and now I think there is probably expectations of me to be playing good enough footy to get a crack. And with Beaudy out, it might be potential there, but I’m just here to just keep learning developing as a player.”

Simpson said the 145-test All Black has been an integral part of his assimilation at the Blues.

“He has been really helpful, keeping in contact with me and making sure I’m clear on everything and just helping me out with the nitty gritty parts of the game, which is really cool to see. I think he’s obviously had a lot of years playing high level rugby, so it’s good to just hear the little details that he likes to use and implement in his game.”

Simpson is not new to the high performance environment, spending two years with the New Zealand Under 20’s, playing in last year’s championship final against the Junior Springboks.

“It’s been a lot easier of a transition for me. I’m fully immersed in the squad now, on the development contracts, you’re in and out of the Blues and the Under 20s, so I think being in one place and really just nailing the parts of your game you want to get right has probably the best thing for me.”

Pulling on the Blues jersey was always an ambition for the Aucklander.

“Growing up in Auckland, born here, raised, went to school here, it’s always been a dream. I’ve always looked at the Blues and wanted to be a part of that.”

He grew up idolising the likes of Stephen Perofeta and Barrett, men he now calls teammates.

“When I first came in, it was a pretty surreal moment, to see those guys on TV and then be training alongside them. So as a young fella, it’s good to get alongside those guys and chew heaps of fat around the game and I think you get to learn a lot.”

Simpson was a key cog in Sacred Heart’s first XV where he spent three years and helped guide them to an historic 1A victory in 2023, the school’s first title in 65 years.

“I got to do it alongside my brother, which is also another cool thing. Sacred will always be part of me and I think that really developed me as a player and it got me to where I am today.”

Simpson’s siblings and fellow Sacred Heart stars Keanu and Cruiz are also on a trajectory for higher honours, with Rico hoping they can all run out together on Eden Park one day.

“Yeah, one day, the three Simpson boys in the Blues, that’s the plan.”

His success at Sacred caught the eye of national selectors who handed Simpson the coveted number 10 jersey for the U20’s side, the same one worn by fellow Blues Barrett and Perofeta.

“International level was always a step ahead of everything, and I think it really helped me learn different parts of the game that I probably didn’t quite get it at school level and regional stuff.”

For Simpson, it was the first of many black jerseys he hopes to wear.

“I think as a Kiwi kid playing footy, that’s (the All Blacks) always the end goal and it’s always been a dream of mine.”

Standing at 6ft 5in, Simpson is an imposing presence in the backline.

“I’ve always prided myself on my kicking game and I think along the years my running game has started to develop and that’s something I want to keep working on. Obviously as a taller fella, taking the line on and offloading has always been a strength of mine, so those two things are probably something that I always hang my hat on.”

Simpson said that despite a tough 2025, the Blues have full belief they can replicate their 2024 title run, and send coach vern Cotter off in winning style.

“We always believe we can do that. The boys are really switched on and ready to go, we are ready to rip into the year and there’s a lot of confidence, a younger squad, but we’ve still got that confidence that we can go all the way.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Olympic medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was honoured by her team mates with a haka following her silver medal win in the Big Air event at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

It was a record third medal in the event for Sadowski-Synott, who took silver in Beijing in 2022 and bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018.

“I went and saw my family, and then I turned around and the whole team was performing a haka for me,” she said. “It was really special and meant a lot to me.”

Sadowski-Synnott described the final is hugely inspiring.

“That was incredible! It was such a high level of snowboarding, and to see the progression over the last four years and see what it takes to get on the podium now, I couldn’t be more inspired,” she said.

“I’m just really grateful to be a part of it. It’s amazing seeing all these girls from all over the world who are really passionate about snowboarding doing so well.”

Sadowski-Synott went into the final as the top qualifier, but a disappointing first run put the pressure on her for the rest of the competition.

She was in tenth place after the first run when she failed to stick her landing and only managed a score of 27.75, with Japan’s Kokomo Murase leading the way with a score of 89.75.

With the best two scores from the three runs counting, Sadowski-Synott needed to pull out something special to salvage her competition.

The 24-year-old completed a backside triple-cork 1440 in her second run to score 88.75 and improved to eighth, while Korean Seungeun took the lead from Murase.

The Kiwi dropped in fifth in the final run, needing another high-scoring jump and responded with a switch backside 1260, which scored 83.50 and took her to the top of the scoreboard.

She held that position until the last two competitors, with Murase finishing on 179 points compared to Sadowski-Synott’s 172.25.

Sadowski-Synnott will defend her Slopestyle title next week.

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