Source: Radio New Zealand
Snowboarder Cam Melville Ives, left, skier Fin Melville Ives and skier Mischa Thomas model the uniforms the New Zealand team will be wearing at the Winter Olympics in northern Italy in February. SUPPLIED
Twins Cam and Fin Melville Ives have revealed the New Zealand team’s uniform for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Snowboarder Cam and skier Fin have been selected for the New Zealand team for the games, which take place in northern Italy in February.
The release of the uniform comes only days after Fin Melville Ives won the freeski halfpipe World Cup event in China. He is the current world champion.
His victory has been followed by Queenstown skier Alice Robinson winning her maiden Super G World Cup title in St Moritz in Switzerland.
New Zealand apparel firm Kathmandu, a sponsor partner for the New Zealand team, has designed the new uniforms, having tested them in the harshest winter conditions on Aotearoa’s mountains.
The collection includes t-shirts, trousers, hoodies, parkas, and accessories, all featuring the silver fern.
The uniforms will be worn at training, in the athletes’ village and ceremonial events.
In a fresh innovation a QR-code badge is woven into the athletes’ opening ceremony jacket, which when scanned will connect them to a digital platform containing messages of support from New Zealanders and overseas fans.
Kathmandu said the jackets, trousers and anoraks designed for wearing in the mountains will withstand repeated impacts with ice and snow.
The Melville Ives brothers said they felt proud to wear the new uniforms, which they modelled with skier Mischa Thomas, who aspires for selection in the New Zealand team.
“I’m so hyped to be able to compete next year, alongside my brother and wear the fern on my chest, repping New Zealand,” said Cam Melville Ives.
His brother Fin said: “Growing up in New Zealand, it’s so awesome to see all the idols repping the silver fern, it means so much to show it off while representing the country,” he said.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Nicki Nicol said the uniform reveal was a significant milestone in Kathmandu’s four-year partnership with the NZ team.
“I think Kathmandu has done a fantastic job with their first uniform – our team have already been packing it in the bags, bound for Italy.
“The athletes collaborated closely with the NZOC and Kathmandu to ensure the design delivers on both style and performance. I’m looking forward to seeing our New Zealand Team wearing it with pride at the Games in February next year.”
Kathmandu said Kiwis can also wear the same gear with a replica collection launched today.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
