On the ground in Milano Cortina: Reflections from Fiona Mather
What came through most strongly was her deep sense of privilege. “To witness New Zealand athletes at the pinnacle of their careers, after four years of preparation, is incredibly humbling,” she reflected.
HPSNZ Director of High Performance Steve Tew, also on the ground in Italy, echoed her view on the privilege of being on the ground in Milano – “being here is a close up and powerful reminder of the commitment and courage required to become an Olympian”.
Fiona describes the Winter Olympics as having a “different heartbeat” from the Summer Games. “It feels smaller, more intimate. The mountain environment forges this natural sense of connection between nations,” she explained.
Weather can change the fate of an event within minutes, which Fiona says creates a rare camaraderie. “Athletes from completely different countries check in with each other about the course, the visibility, the snow. There’s this unspoken bond—everyone is battling the same elements.”
She recounted watching the men’s freeski big air final (pictured) in white out blizzard conditions—one of the most competitive the sport has ever seen. “Athletes were landing tricks they hadn’t even hit in training,” Fiona said.
“You realise the result is almost secondary. It’s about pushing boundaries of human creativity and courage.”
A standout for Fiona was seeing New Zealand’s uniquely connected Games environment. NZ House in Livigno became a true home base—“a chalet lounge buzzing with family, friends, teammates and support staff.”
Rituals such as pounamu presentations, pōwhiri, haka and nightly debriefs grounded athletes in whakapapa and purpose.
She recalled one athlete spending the evening before their final reading letters from schoolchildren back home. “It brought them back to their ‘why’. It’s incredibly powerful.”
Fiona credits the NZOC for deliberately designing an NZ Team environment that is culturally grounded yet performance focused—and acknowledges the huge effort required to strike that balance.
Continuity of people also mattered. Snow Sports NZ ensured the majority of their long term coaches and support staff were here, giving athletes familiarity and stability at exactly the right moment.
The razor thin margins of winter sport played out dramatically in Milano Cortina. Fiona pointed to Alice Robinson missing a GS medal by just 0.18 seconds in a 70 strong field racing on two different courses under constantly shifting conditions. “At this level, being a fraction too long in the air or applying pressure a touch early can be the difference.”
Yet the highlight of her Games was Zoi Sadowski Synnott becoming the most decorated Olympic snowboarder of all time—an achievement she places alongside New Zealand legends Dame Lisa Carrington, Ian Ferguson and Sir Mark Todd.
For Fiona, the quietest message was the most profound. “Our physio Sarah Gillespie told me how delighted she was that the team was healthy. That doesn’t happen by chance.”
She credits the deliberate, detailed preparation by athletes, coaches and support staff—including the work of HPSNZ’s Carolyn Cruden (Nutrition), Sarah Beable (Medicine), Helene Barron (Physiotherapy), Shane Crowhen (Strength & Condition), Katherine Eustace (Physiotherapy), Marianne Wray (Psychology), Jamie Middleton (Performance and Technical Analysis) and others across the cycle including Tim Brazier (Physiology), Eloise Mathews (Medicine), Carol Goodlass (Performance Life), Matty Graham (S&C), Jason Yuill-Proctor (Psychology), Heli Graham (Physiotherapy) and Ben Soole (Medicine).
She also gives a shout out to the strong connectedness between NZOC, Snow Sports NZ and HPSNZ which she says is growing not only at Games time but outside in the critical lead up phases.
Planning between the three entities was crucial. “The more you plan ahead, the calmer the Games environment becomes.”
“This is key to ensuring we achieve one of our key goals of helping sports and athletes achieve repeated, sustainable success.”
For now, though, Fiona is still absorbing the privilege of being on the ground—witnessing extraordinary performances, courage under pressure, and the unmistakable spirit of New Zealand athletes standing tall on the world stage.