Bruce Wells inspired by his sons

“I’m just stoked,” said NZ freeski coach Bruce Wells.

He deserves to be, having coached four athletes to selection to the New Zealand Olympic Team for the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Those four athletes are also his sons: Jossi, Byron, Beau-James and Jackson. Unfortunately Jossi Wells had to pull out of the Team due to injury.

As parenting moments go, it’s got to be up there with the best.

“The amount of work they’ve put in to get to that point has really been quite phenomenal and it’s inspiring to work with them."

"I’m inspired that all four of them got selected.”

The Wells family work hard and play hard together.

“It’s a reflection of how much they love the sport, how much they’re willing to put in to it and how much they’re really willing to sacrifice. They’re putting their bodies on the line a lot,” said Bruce.

Like many athletes, the Wells have had to overcome setbacks due to injury, and for Jossi this has meant having to withdraw from the Olympic team. His brothers will miss him in PyeongChang but remain fully focused on the task ahead.

“Their resilience is really something that blows me away,” said Bruce.

“I’m not quite sure that I personally would have that resilience. They just take it all in their stride and start pushing the limits again.”

“We were hoping to get four of us there of course,” explains Beau-James.

“It’s a bummer about Jossi, he put everything he could into his rehab but having the other two there is just the same. It doesn’t happen very often (competing together at the Games) and it’s cool to be a part of it.”

Third-born in the family, Beau-James says his older brothers Jossi and Byron have had a big influence on his career.

“It definitely spurred me on. Having two professional athletes for older brothers is pretty good motivation. Being a younger brother, you always want to do what your older brothers are doing and seeing their success just gives you more drive to get after it.”

Beau-James competed at the 2014 Sochi Games and finished sixth in the halfpipe. He says that experience has been a big confidence booster.

“Having been at the last Olympics, I can go into this one fairly comfortable, knowing what it’s all about. It’s a different place, obviously, but I know what it entails with everyone watching you. Getting a sixth-place last time makes me feel good about going into this one.”

He’s spent the last four years thinking long and hard about what it would mean to stand on the Olympic podium.

“Being older now and knowing what that medal could do for you is definitely a big one. It just puts a fire in your belly to bring back a medal for New Zealand.”

Will his dad be nervous, watching from the sidelines?

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Bruce. “I’m quite excited to see how it all pans out really. I can’t wait to see them go and do their job.”