Three New Zealand brothers take off for Sochi 2014!

New Zealand will see 15 of its best winter sports athletes taking to the slopes, track and ice rink at the Olympic Winter Games in Russia. For three Olympians in particular, the trip will be a family affair.

The recent World Cup champion in ski slopestyle, Jossi Wells, will be joined in the New Zealand delegation by his two younger brothers. All three competing in new events, Byron, 21, will ride the snow in ski halfpipe, and 18 year-old Beau James, following in the footsteps of his eldest sibling Jossi, will take part in both ski halfpipe and slopestyle.

Talking about his selection, Jossi Wells said: “I’m really proud to have been named to the Olympic team and to have the opportunity to represent New Zealand in Sochi. With my sport being part of the Winter Olympics for the first time ever, I’m even more stoked to be going.”

The three brothers will have the added pleasure of sharing their debut at the Games with their father and coach Bruce. The Olympic Winter Games are truly a family business for the Wells!

However, Jossi, Byron and Beau James will not be the only three siblings competing together in Sochi in a few weeks’ time. Switzerland’s biathlon sisters, Aita, Elisa and Selina Gasparin, have also all three qualified for the Olympic Winter Games.

Tune in on 13 February to watch the men’s ski slopestyle, and 18 February for the men’s halfpipe.

For more info on New Zealand’s Olympic team, check out: www.olympic.org.nz.