Wānaka athlete Baxter Pollard secured New Zealand’s final spot for the Winter Youth Olympic Games next month.
The 17-year-old will compete in the biathlon in the men’s 7.5km sprint and the men’s 12km individual discipline in Gangwon, starting on January 20.
He is the fifth Mt Aspiring College pupil to be named for the games, alongside Lucia Georgalli, Luke Harrold, and Cam and Fin Melville Ives.
Pollard was excited to represent New Zealand in South Korea.
"After spending the last two weeks racing against both juniors and youth, I am really looking forward to having some races against people my age, and also the correct distances," Pollard said.
"I think the games will be really enjoyable and a wonderful experience."
He started cross-country skiing through Mt Aspiring’s programme, later moving into biathlon after being encouraged by Snow Farm’s Mary Lee and his first coaches, Tim and Nicole David.
"We are super lucky in Wānaka to have former Olympic biathlete and incredible coach Jason Sklenar, and he has been amazing at helping me get to this point."
Biathlon New Zealand chairman Tim David was immensely proud of Pollard’s selection.
"Baxter has worked tirelessly at Wānaka Biathlon Club's biathlon range at Snow Farm and at the recent IBU development camp in Slovenia," David said.
"We wish him the very best of luck in the coming games."
New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Nicki Nicol was thrilled by Pollard’s selection.
"New Zealand has a proud history in biathlon at the Winter Youth Olympic Games and we look forward to watching Baxter wear the fern and add to that legacy in Gangwon."
New Zealand has named 21 athletes for the Olympics: 12 freestyle ski and snowboard athletes, four curlers, two alpine ski racers, one luge athlete, and one figure skater, as well as Pollard.
Alpine athlete Ruby Fullerton has also been conditionally selected to the team, subject to the NZOC receiving a reallocated second female alpine quota by January 4. Fullerton will be added to team numbers if a quota is made available.
