Porteous going in a new direction
Wanaka wonder Nico Porteous has no regrets as he closes the book on a big chapter in his life.
The two-time Winter Olympic medallist announced yesterday he was stepping back from the freeski halfpipe and Olympic competition, as he looked to explore new opportunities including his passion in film.
While Porteous — New Zealand's most successful male snow sports athlete and defending Olympic champion — will walk away from the halfpipe, he intends to maintain his level of skiing and explore other avenues, including Natural Selection Ski.
The 23-year-old loved representing New Zealand and told the Otago Daily Times he was content with his decision.
"I feel really good," he said.
"Since making this decision last year it's sort of just been sitting on it and wanted to make sure that it was the right one.
"I feel really comfortable around that and it's been nice."
Confirming his future eight months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, Porteous said he had been skiing for more than half his life, having started at 10.
"All I've known is competitive skiing.
"Naturally over time your views and your goals change ... and that's sort of where I feel I am today.
"My competitive passion maybe has changed slightly and my goals are different.
"I feel that it was the right time to step away while I was still healthy and able to make that decision on my own terms rather than being forced out."
Porteous made history when he won halfpipe gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. It added to the bronze he won as a 16-year-old in PyeongChang in 2018.
Among his accolades are two X-Games gold medals, a world championship title and five World Cup medals.
Olympic glory was top of the list — "I don't think much can top that" — but Porteous was also proud of the moments that did not result in medals.
"One that stands out that wasn't maybe on the results front is ... being able to experience all the times that I got with my brother, Miguel.
"Getting to compete alongside him, and being able to share those moments with your family is pretty unique."
Having the support of his hometown, Wanaka, had been special and he counted himself lucky to call it home.
Alongside skiing, Porteous' other passion lay with filming and producing videos, several of which he has released on YouTube, including Step One last year.
It is an area he plans to move into, including working on gear and product design.
"That's something that I'm really passionate about."
Videos had always been a huge part of snow sports, and they inspired Porteous growing up, he said.
"It was just a natural progression to move more into making them myself."
Porteous, who has recently been based in Tokyo, will return home next month for the upcoming season.
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