Harrington, 21, claimed the silver medal at the Beijing round of the Freeski Big Air World Cup at the weekend.
"Today we set out with our two goals to get those first two tricks done, and getting that first trick done gave me a lot of confidence going into run two," the pending New Zealand Winter Olympian said.
"The level of the sport is incredible at the moment and to stay at the top means the world to me."
The podium marked a remarkable sixth consecutive Big Air World Cup podium for Harrington.
He credits his consistency to the confidence gained since becoming the first New Zealander to win a round of the Big Air World Cup in January.
"Ever since that first win in Klagenfurt, I just realised that I do belong here and I belong on the podium, and that confidence in myself has helped me push myself and push my limits to remain on the podium."
As the top qualifier for the Beijing final, Harrington had the advantage of being the final athlete to drop into the first and second runs of the three-run final.
The big air format dictates that the two top scoring runs of three — which must be spun in different directions — are combined for a total score out of 200. Harrington made quick work of the first run, putting down a switch right triple corked 1800 with an esco grab to post the first score in the 90s of the competition, a 92.75.
The competition heated up for the second run, and three Norwegian skiers each put down a trick that scored a 92.00 or higher.
No stranger to pressure, Harrington held his own, stomping a right triple corked 1980 with a critical grab to score an 89.75 and move into second position.
For the third and final run, the drop order is set by the current ranking, so Harrington was second to last to drop in. He was unable to improve his score, but his second placing gave him the lead in the 2025-26 big air rankings.
Norwegian skier Ulrik Samnoey claimed his career first world cup victory, and Matej Svancer (Austria) was third.
Also in China, Lake Hawea teenager Luke Harrold claimed second place in the inaugural freeski Snow League, the new competition founded by snowboarding great Shaun White.
Harrold, 17, said the skiing was "amazing" and he was excited for the future of the competition.
The league boasts a different format from other halfpipe competitions. Athletes go head-to-head in knockout rounds, with three runs per match-up.
Harrold, the youngest in the field, was up against three-time Olympic medallist David Wise (USA) in the quarterfinals.
Appearing unfazed against the veteran skier, Harrold laced together two highly technical runs which included a progressive switch left ally oop double corked 1260 and a left double corked 1620 to win the round.
Advancing to the semifinals, Harrold took on Great Britain’s Gus Kenworthy and again claimed victory with his first two runs.
The young New Zealander faced Canadian great Brendan Mackay — an X Games medallist, former world champion and 11-time world cup place-getter — in the final.
It was a nail-biting clash with Harrold winning the first run and Mackay the second, meaning the third run was required to decide the winner.
After a hard-fought battle, Mackay did enough to claim victory, but it was a remarkable effort by Harrold in the inaugural event.
— Allied Media
