It's Winter Olympics heartbreak for Wanaka skier Byron Wells as an injury moments before his halfpipe final has taken him out of the running.
The Otago athlete who was due to compete in the final with brother Beau-James and fellow Wanaka-based skier Nico Porteous looked visibly upset after sustaining his injury.
Byron suffered a leg injury in practice for the ski halfpipe final and was forced to withdraw.
Wells fell during a practice run and received medical treatment before being carried off the pipe.
Byron managed to grab the fourth highest score in the qualifying round and was seen by many as New Zealand's best chance at a medal at the event.
Beau-James qualified with the fifth highest score and Porteous squeaked into the top 12 after qualifying in 11th.
A New Zealand team spokesman confirmed Wells had suffered a leg injury but said it was too soon to know its severity.
- additional reporting Reuters
