Despite growing numbers of promising young skiers rising through the ranks of freeskiing, no new athletes have managed to break their way into New Zealand's top echelon of the sport.
The Freeski Association of New Zealand (FSANZ) has named its national and development teams for the northern hemisphere winter, with only one new name being added to the second-tier development squad.
Top internationals Jossi and Byron Wells are joined by long-time Wanaka freeski companion Lyndon Sheehan in the park disciplines, while Wanaka big mountain specialists Sam Smoothy and Janina Kuzma are also re-selected.
Winter Olympic hopeful Mitchey Greig, of Queenstown, also retained her place as she bids to be the only New Zealand woman to compete in the skier-cross discipline at Vancouver in February.
The members of New Zealand's elite freeski team will individually contest various international competitions on the northern hemisphere circuit during the next few months.
The freeski development squad has been reduced from 28 skiers to 18, with Pete Oswald the sole new addition to the secondary tier of young athletes.
Snowsports New Zealand coaching and sport development director Adam Dooney said squad numbers had been cut to provide greater benefits and support to those athletes with the greatest potential of representing New Zealand on the international stage.
A talent identification group was also named as a third tier of athletes, to provide a structured pathway for promising juniors, he said.
NZ freeski team
For the northern winter
Sam Smoothy (big mountain, Wanaka), Mitchey Greig (skier-cross, Queenstown), Janina Kuzma (big mountain, Wanaka), Lyndon Sheehan, Byron Wells, Jossi Wells (half-pipe, slopestyle, all of Wanaka).
Development team Freestyle: Olly Allan, Mikey Austin, Rose Battersby, Trent Francis, Matt Johnson, Taylor King, Hamish McDougall, Harry Pettit, Ryan Read, Amy Sheehan, Matt Soundy, Beau James Wells.
Big Mountain/Freeride: Tom Brownlee, Sam Lee, Cam McDirmid, Fraser McDougall, Peter Oswald, Neil Williman.
