Newly crowned freeski halfpipe champion Nico Porteous will carry the NZ flag into the Beijing Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Monday morning (NZ time).
The selection of flagbearer is usually reserved for the team's most successful performer at the Games, but with gold-and-silver medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott not available, Porteous, 20, was the logical candidate.
"Being named flagbearer is the cherry on top of an amazing campaign,” he says. "It's a real privilege to get to represent our country and carry the flag, and I’ll be waving it with a massive grin on my face."
On the penultimate day of competition, Porteous improved on his bronze medal four years ago at Pyeongchang, where he became New Zealand's youngest-ever Olympic medallist.
Qualfying second this time round, he put down the day's best run on his first attempt and dared his rivals to do better in treacherous windy conditions. None could, as he held off the American trio of two-time defending champion David Wise, 2018 silver medallist Alex Ferreira and two-time world champion Aaron Blunck.
The exploits of Porteous and Sadowski-Synnott - a winner of snowboard slopestyle and runner-up at big air - have made the 2022 Winters Olympics easily New Zealand's most successful.
"Nico is not only an amazing athlete, but also a real leader and inspiration to the rest of the team,” says chef de mission Marty Toomey. "I look forward to watching him wave the flag with pride, as he leads the New Zealand team into the closing ceremony."
"I'm really proud of the entire team. It's great to be celebrating our most successful-ever campaign and I’d also like to acknowledge all those athletes who did not win medals, but gave it everything on the field of play as they represented New Zealand.
"Snow sports and ice sports are growing in New Zealand, and I have no doubt that these athletes have inspired our next generation to get out there and give it a go."
Only seven athletes - less than half the team - will walk in the closing ceremony, with Porteous accompanied by brother Miguel, fellows freeskiers Anja Barugh, Chloe McMillan, Ben Harrington and Gustav Legnansky, and speed skater Peter Michael, along with support staff.
