Brotherly competition drives freeskiiers Nico and Miguel Porteous

When Miguel Porteous nailed his first backflip, his younger brother Nico thought ‘I want to do that too’.

The freeskiing brothers share a competitive rivalry familiar to many sporting siblings, and Miguel credits that relationship with helping the pair to success at the top of the freeskiing circuit.

“Yeah we drive each other on. It’s competitive on the hill but you wouldn’t know it. We’re definitely hungry to come out on top but at the end of the day if either of us is up there we’re still extremely stoked. If there’s anyone I want to see do well it’s Nico,” he said.

Above: Miguel competing in the US

Miguel (18 years, freeski halfpipe) and Nico (15 years, freeski halfpipe) have both been selected to the New Zealand team for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, with the entire family planning to attend the games.

“Mum and Dad are really excited and are going to come to South Korea to watch. We’re all looking forward to the Korean BBQ!” Said Miguel.

Younger brother Nico has benefitted from trying to keep up with his older sibling. He’s the youngest athlete in the world to land a triple cork 1440 which consists of four complete rotations and three backflips.

Above: Nico landing a triple cork 1440. Video courtesy of Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Nico is also set to become New Zealand’s youngest ever Winter Olympian when he competes at PyeongChang. He’ll be aged just 16 years and 78 days old on the first day of the games but it’s not a fact which phases him.

“I feel like age isn’t too much of a factor in our sport but that’s definitely a cool thing to be the youngest to represent New Zealand at the Winter Olympics.”

The brothers are now training in Austria before hitting the competition circuit as they build up to the Olympic Winter Games.

“Everything’s going pretty well I’ve had a really successful spring training camp up at Cardrona. I’ve been training really well getting all of my tricks now so I’m feeling good to go,” Nico said.

Above: Nico competing at the Winter Games NZ

Miguel’s also feeling good and is looking forward to sharing the experience with his friend and brother.

“It’s always great having Nico there, we compete together at pretty much every competition so it’s just the usual. It’s good to have Nico around and I couldn’t be happier for anyone than my brother to do well.”

The Olympic Winter Games run February 9^th to 25^th in PyeongChang, South Korea.