Sport
22 February, 2026
Kilby, 14, jumps for gold on international ski stage
BRIDGEWATER junior Harry Kilby has brought home the Under 14 ski jumping gold medal from the annual Aussie Kiwi Challenge held in New Zealand.
His win with a jump of 27.9 metres and Georgia Bray’s overall victory in the Under 17 Girls event highlighted Bridgewater Water Ski Club members’ performances on the international stage.
Harry, 14, said he was grateful for wetsuits in the contest, held on Lake Hood in the South Island.
“It was cold,” he said who was back playing cricket for Bridgewater juniors at the weekend in 30-degree weather.
“One morning it was only six degrees.”
He competed with little practice time after breaking a finger in November but his personal best jump showed his natural skill.
Harry finished fourth overall in his age division with a sixth in slalom and an eighth in tricks added to his gold medal jump points.
He arrived back in Australia in time to strap on the pads for Bridgewater in junior cricket on Saturday, hitting the equal top score as the team reached the grand final.
Georgia, who skis out of Bridgewater where her father Lee is club president, won the tricks event, finished second in the jumps with a leap of 21.7 metres, and third in the slalom.
Her overall win in her category helped Australia to victory in the challenge event.
Georgia’s younger brother Mitchell also took part in NZ, finishing eighth in his Under 17 division, with a best placing of fifth in slalom.