New Zealand winter sport has received a major boost with the inclusion of ski half pipe on the programme for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Jossi Wells (20) and younger brother Byron (19) are already making their marks in ski half-pipe internationally and the inclusion of the event will significantly strengthen New Zealands winter sport programme. Jossi finished 2010 as the worlds number one. The decision to include ski half-pipe was based on the events ability to add value to the Olympic Games with positive factors including its universality, youth appeal and gender equity. The decision was made at an IOC Executive Board meeting in London overnight. The new event was announced as the New Zealand Olympic Committee confirmed Christchurchs Peter Wardell will be the Chef de Mission for the 2014 team. Wardell was the Chef de Mission for the New Zealand Team to Vancouver in 2010. Im delighted to be leading the team to Russia, said Wardell today. The inclusion of ski half-pipe will be a major boost for New Zealand winter sports. Kiwi winter athletes thrive on adrenaline and risk and this is what ski half-pipe is all about. The event is ideally suited to our facilities and will attract a new generation of winter athletes. It has been many years since a New Zealand Team has gone to an Olympic Games with athletes in medal contention and the inclusion of the new event certainly makes this a possibility. New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Kereyn Smith said Wardell was ideally suited to the role of Winter Olympic Chef de Mission. Pete has both the strategic ability and people skills to lead our winter Olympic team. His performance in Vancouver was outstanding and we knowhe will add significant value as we head to Sochi. The inaugural Youth Olympic Winter Games will be held in January 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria and Wardell will also lead this team. Two additional strong New Zealand winter sports are still up for inclusion in the 2014 Olympic programme. Ski Slopestyle and snowboard slopestyle are subject to a further feasibility study and the IOC Executive Board will make a decision within the coming weeks. The Executive Board also approved womens ski jump, bialthlon mixed relay, figure skating team and luge team relay for inclusion in the Olympic programme. The New Zealand Olympic Committee supports the development of winter sport in New Zealand through Olympic solidarity grants to athletes ($367,000 ahead of Vancouver 2010), financial support for the Winter Performance Programme and support and financial assistance for the Winter Games NZ. Wardell is currently an Investment Banker with Forsyth Bar in Christchurch. Wardell is a keen sports person and has lived and worked extensively in Europe, including both Russia and Austria, and was the New Zealand Trade representative to Budapest, Hungary.
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