Cam Melville Ives reaches halfpipe final

Cam Melville Ives in action on his way to qualifying for the snowboard halfpipe PHOTO: THENZTEAM

Wānaka teenager Cam Melville Ives has qualified for the final of the snowboard halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympics.

Melville Ives finished eighth in qualification, with Australian Scotty James leading the top 12 to progress from the 24 starters.

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Melville Ives was happy with his first run, which included a frontside triple cork 1440 and scored 84.75, which put him in sixth place.

James, who finished second in this event at the last games and is the current world champion, scored the best run of the day with a 94.00.

The Kiwi then started his second run in eighth position but was unable to improve when he landed heavily from a jump and lost momentum.

He then had a nervous wait as the rest of the field completed their second runs, but held onto eighth place and a position in Saturday morning's final.

Melville Ives, 19 arrived at the Olympics having claimed a silver medal at the FIS World Cup in Switzerland